Amid the growing number of coronavirus cases in Florida, all Miami-Dade County beaches will remain closed for the weekend of July 4, the county’s chief executive said Friday.
The beaches and parks will also be out of public view of the fireworks, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Giménez said in a statement. “Fireworks displays must be viewed from the house or the parked vehicle,” he said.
Giménez said he will sign the order on Saturday closing beaches from July 3 to July 7.
“As we continue to see more positive COVID-19 results among young adults and the increase in hospitalizations, I have decided that the only prudent way to stop this recent increase is to crack down on recreational activities that elevate our community. in general risk, “said Giménez,
Florida is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases. The state broke its one-day record on Wednesday when 5,508 new cases were reported and then set a new high on Friday when 8,942 cases were reported.
Florida banned alcohol consumption in bars across the state on Friday in response to the increasing number of cases, although bars had not yet been reopened in Miami-Dade and some other South Florida counties.
In Miami-Dade County, more than 30,100 cases have been confirmed with 946 deaths, according to the state health department. There were 1,528 new cases reported there on Friday, which are cases through Thursday.
Giménez’s order will also ban any gatherings, including parades, of more than 50 people “for any reason” from July 3 to 7.
In Palm Beach County, which is north of Miami, the mayor said Friday that reusable face masks will be sent to the 660,000 homes there.
The county purchased 1.5 million reusable masks that will be mailed to all county houses, County Mayor Dave Kerner said.
On Tuesday, the county government voted unanimously to force cover-up after the protests and what Kerner called “many passionate prospects on both sides of the issue.”
“What is not in dispute is that facial coatings and masks help stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Kerner.
In Palm Beach County, there have been 12,498 cases with 490 deaths. On Thursday alone, there were 650 new cases of COVID-19, Kerner said.
Statewide, there have been nearly 123,000 cases and more than 3,300 deaths, according to the state health department.
Miami-Dade County requires masks when inside a company. Some cities in Miami-Dade County, including Miami, North Miami Beach, and Hialeah, have also required the use of masks in public places.
The Florida Department of Health recommends that all residents wear masks in public and stay away from others, but there is no state-mandated mask mandate.
On Friday, at a press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis was asked why there was no statewide mask requirement and said, “We are going to continue to give guidance, and we are going to trust people to make good decisions. “
