FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2020
Cities of Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale Add Additional Proactive Measures to Limit Large Gatherings–In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19– Miami Beach, FL – As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise throughout the nation, the City of Miami Beach is ramping up additional measures to curtail large crowds from gathering and encourage social distancing.
Starting tomorrow in Miami Beach, non-essential businesses citywide will be required to close daily by 10 p.m. until further notice, and the city is urging restaurants, bars and nightclubs to decrease their capacity by 50 percent to create social distancing. Businesses excluded from this mandate include: pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, private offices, banks, hotels, hospitals, medical service providers, medical supply stores, hardware stores, gasoline service stations and automotive supply/repair centers. Additionally, there will be a complete closure of the beaches from Fifth to 15 streets until further notice. An 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will also be enforced in the city’s entertainment district starting Monday, March 16. City-owned parking garages and surface lots citywide will only be open to residents with proof of residency and access card holders.
“It simply can’t be business as usual in our City,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “COVID-19 is a threat as much here as anywhere. We simply cannot endure these kinds of gatherings and crowds. Our measures are intended to send a clear message that Spring Break is cancelled and that everyone, even young people home from school, need to embrace these health and safety concerns. We are proud of our hospitality industry, and concerned with the toll it will have on our businesses and workers but we cannot elevate those concerns above very real health risks.”
The City of Miami Beach is partnering with their northern neighbor, the City of Fort Lauderdale, to both implement similar measures in deterring large spring break crowds. Both municipalities have faced similar challenges with the influx of large crowds this time of the year and are aligned in their efforts to implement social distancing.
“We have to do everything possible to minimize crowds and unfortunately, our beautiful beaches must be part of that plan,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. “I want to be clear that this is not an overreaction, but a way for us to help stop further cases of COVID-19 in our community. We must all do our part to save lives. This includes protecting our residents, visitors, and our first responders.”
Click here to read the revised Declaration of Emergency Measures effective March 16, 2020. For measures specific to the City of Fort Lauderdale, please visit
www.fortlauderdale.govIMPORTANT NOTICE - BUSINESS OWNERS
03/15/20
In light of the Coronavirus, the national nature of this pandemic, and previous measures ordained by the City of Miami Beach, This afternoon the City of Miami Beach declared the following:
No eating and/or drinking establishment, restaurant, nightclub, dance hall, hall for hire, or similar business shall be permitted to operate, and shall immediately cease all business activities and operations, if, at any time, the total occupancy load of any such business or establishment meets or exceeds two-hundred and fifty (250) persons.
Clubs will be permitted to remain open, but are subject to closure at any time by the City Manager.
No club or venue will be allowed to have more than 249 people inside of the establishment at any one time.
All alcohol sales must stop promptly at 3:00 AM
All special events have been rescinded, which means no events that received a special use permit will be allowed until further notice. ·
All Pool Parties are canceled until further notice Attached you will find the Declaration of the State of Emergency and the Imposition of Measures During High Impact.
Due to the level of severity of the virus that still remains a mystery, the BID would advise you to err on the side of safety for the wellbeing of your staff and guests and take precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.
Please have your staff wash their hands with soap and water as often as possible We will continue to keep you updated on information as it is released. For questions or concerns, you can contact me at
twright@washavemb.comor 305-916-0779
Also, those who participate and attend as a primary concern, we have decided to postpone Barlooza schedule for April 18th. Your ticket(s) will be fully refunded.
Barlooza is still scheduled for July 18th to kick off our Tequila series.
We do hope you are able to attend! Please feel free to call 305-916-0779 if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely, Troy E. Wright Executive Director Washington Avenue BID