March 24, 2020: The City of Miami Beach has increased its emergency measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, issuing a "stay at home" directive effective at 12:01 this morning, Tuesday, March 24. The full order is here.
In a video message to residents and businesses yesterday, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber noted the increasing numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases (COVID-19). “Until the numbers begin to go in the opposite direction, we will continue to take measures that reduce social interactions. So, tonight [Monday], the last of the major measures to protect this community go into effect. Almost all hotels will be closed and all short-term rentals flatly prohibited with only exceptions for essential activities.”
“In order to address the possibility that empty stores with little activity will attract crime, we are also implementing a midnight curfew beginning this evening [Monday] and every night from midnight to 5 am. We will also have some form of police presence on the causeways as there will be little reason for incoming traffic during these hours. So, we are, for now, for the most part hunkering down at home to ride this out and we will ride it out because I know who we are. We are a community who is at its best when challenged the most,” Gelber said.
Watch the full video message from Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber regarding the new order and the impact of the coronavirus on Miami Beach.
All residents are now required to remain in their homes except for essential activities. Under the directive, all public and private gatherings of any number of people outside a residence is prohibited except to engage in essential activities. The order also further restricts movement. “All travel, including, without limitation, travel on foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or use of public transit is prohibited…” with some exceptions.
The City strongly recommends that seniors 65 and over stay at home and take the necessary measures to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19. Seniors, along with those who have compromised immune systems, are at a higher risk of severe illness in the event the coronavirus is contracted.
The details
“Residents and visitors may engage in essential retail and commercial activities, including, without limitation, travel to or from essential retail and commercial businesses.” Essential businesses include grocery stores, convenience stores, food distribution centers, restaurants for takeout and delivery only, hospitals, pharmacies, and health care providers, gas stations and auto-repair facilities, banks, hardware stores, businesses that provide postal/shipping services and other office products, laundry service providers, childcare facilities providing services to groups of 10 or fewer, certain professional services, home-based care for seniors, adults or children, pet supply stores, veterinarian and pet boarding facilities, and offices in support of essential retail and commercial activities. Social distancing requirements apply.“Residents and visitors may engage in outdoor activity and recreation in areas not otherwise closed to the public” including without limitation, walking, hiking, running or cycling. Gyms, fitness centers, and swimming pools which are amenities of residential buildings may remain open. Social distancing requirements apply.
“Residents and visitors may travel to and from religious institutions and places of worship, subject to the City’s requirement that religious institutions and places of worship reduce their occupancy to no more than 10 persons, and maintain a distance separation of at least six feet.”
“Residents and visitors may travel to and from their homes to care for or support a friend, family member, or pet in another household.”
“Residents and visitors in the City may continue to perform work in support of essential activities… Travel by personnel of essential retail and commercial businesses shall be permitted, including personnel providing essential services to residents within their homes, such as repair services, appliance repair, sanitation and extermination, landscaping and pool services, home care, or other essential services.” Social distancing requirements apply.
The order was effective through March 26, however, it was extended by the City Manager through April 2.
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