FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – Three beaches in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Hallandale Beach, will be closed for the weekend of July 4 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, local leaders said.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis joined the mayors of the other two municipalities in making the announcement at a press conference in Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday afternoon.
“The reason we do this is because we feel that we will not be able to provide the necessary safe environment that everyone has the right to enjoy when they come to our beaches,” said Trantalis.
The press conference was interrupted by some screams from the bathers frustrated with the upcoming closings.
A visitor to the beach shouted “freedom” and “First Amendment” at different intervals.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Mayor Christopher Vincent said the expected increase in beach traffic over the holiday weekend forced them to take action.
“Everyone wants to know why we are not closed today, and the reason we are not closed today is that we are not going to have an influx of approximately 10 times more people than today,” he said. “We are going to have 10 times next week.”
“This does not mean that our businesses are closing. Our businesses will remain open, “says Trantalis.” All restaurants, all T-shirt stores, all retail stores, everything will be open. “
Trantalis said the city plans to make a major traffic shutdown.
“A1A will be open. In fact, we will probably close a lane with cones so people can walk on A1A, ”he said.
The announcement of the beach ban comes in the middle of consecutive days that Florida health officials reported rapid increases in new COVID-19 cases, totaling 8,530 new cases on Sunday.
Miami-Dade County reported a record number with 2,152 new cases overnight. Broward reported 574 new cases and Monroe reported 15 new cases.
The surprising increase led Broward leaders to follow the example of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giménez. He announced Friday that the county’s beaches will also be closed for the weekend of July 4.
“I could foresee a Fourth of July with crowds of people on the beach, very difficult to maintain social distance, people who get together,” he said Saturday, “especially young people who get together, and we know that this virus prevails in that group. old, and we want to keep that low. “
“I am the southernmost city, Hallandale Beach, and obviously, with Miami-Dade County closing its beaches, my beach is a backyard for many of our residents,” said Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper.
Although the news could be a disappointment to those heading to South Florida next weekend, Trantalis said his decision was made with his safety in mind.
“It is important for everyone to understand that we are all working together to keep our environment safe,” he said. “It is absolutely important that everyone understands that safety is the most important thing.”
It is unclear if other beaches in the county will also close next weekend, but Broward Mayor Dale Holness said he will hold a press conference on Monday morning.
On Sunday night, Palm Beach County officials confirmed that they will also close their beaches over the July 4 weekend.
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