Broward Joins Miami-Dade to Close Beaches for July 4 Weekend

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale’s beaches will be closed for the weekend of July 4, city mayor Dean Trantalis said Sunday afternoon. Broward County officials are expected to announce Monday that all of the county’s public beaches will be closed beginning July 3.

Beach closings are due to the latest increase in both COVID-19 case counties, especially among a younger demographic. The coronavirus in the state and the country continues to increase.

“The most important thing in the city of Fort Lauderdale is ensuring that this virus does not spread as much as before,” said Trantalis.

He emphasized that while Fort Lauderdale’s beaches will remain closed July 3-5, businesses along A1A will remain open “as long as they comply with the rules,” he said.

Also different this year, Fort Lauderdale’s big fireworks show on the beach won’t happen. Instead, four smaller fireworks displays will be scattered throughout the city for residents to enjoy from their homes.

Mayor Carlos Giménez announced Friday that no one will be allowed on Miami-Dade County beaches from July 3-7, meaning that Broward County beaches would open two days earlier than Miami-Dade beaches.

“I can foresee a Fourth of July in which there are many people on the beach, it is very difficult to maintain social distance, the people who get together, especially the young people who get together. Now we see that this virus prevails in this age group and we want to keep it low, “said Giménez.

Giménez said he is also sending a stern warning ahead of time, that if people do not comply with the July 4 restrictions, they are willing to close the beaches even further.

“I want to emphasize that I will extend this order and keep the beaches closed after July 7 if we don’t see people take it seriously.”

Trantalis cited concerns about the inability to provide compliance on the beach regarding social estrangement and the large crowds that congregate during what is notoriously a busy holiday weekend.

“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,” he said.