Miami Beach Declares State of Emergency Over Covid-19 Fears

Worried about a surge in Covid-19 cases, the city of Miami has declared a state of emergency and imposed an 8 p.m. curfew.

On Saturday, the city of Miami Beach has attempted to cancel the annual spring break by imposing an 8 p.m. curfew in the famous South Beach area. This most famous of party destinations have been literally overrun by party-goers from colleges all over the country. The police have also closed down the causeways into the city to eliminate the further influx of revelers.

Local businesses hoping the annual mass of tourists will boost the local economy and help them bounce back from the year-long Covid-19 pandemic are trying to fight the order. Meanwhile, in Miami Beach streets, police are dispersing crowds, which number in the thousands, with pepper-spray.

Miami Beach City Manager Raul Aguila recommends the curfew remain in place through the middle of April to stop further party-goers from choosing Miami Beach as their spring break destination. In addition to closing the bars, the law prohibits restaurants from staying open past midnight, curtailing the food deliveries that used to continue until dawn.

The entire response to the spring break crowds further spreading Covid-19, and the proposed state of emergency includes the following steps. These measures were issued in a press release by City Manager Raul J. Aguila Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021

• Effective at 8 p.m. March 21, a curfew shall be imposed in the area bounded by 5 Street on the south, 16 Street on the north, Pennsylvania Avenue on the west, and Ocean Drive on the east (the “High Impact Zone”).
• Eastbound lanes on the Julia Tuttle Causeway shall be completely CLOSED to traffic from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m.
• Eastbound lanes on the Venetian Causeway shall be completely CLOSED to traffic from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m., except to City residents.
• Eastbound lanes on the MacArthur Causeway shall be CLOSED to traffic from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m., except to City residents, guests of hotels in the City, and employees of business establishments in the City.
• Effective 8 p.m. tonight, Ocean Drive shall be CLOSED to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, except to City residents, guests of hotels in the City, and employees of business establishments. Other public roads within the High Impact Zone may be closed as deemed necessary by the Interim City Manager or Chief of Police.
• All sidewalk café operations including expanded outdoor restaurant seating shall be SUSPENDED in the High Impact Zone, effective 7 p.m. tonight (pursuant to the City's High Impact Ordinance), and all sidewalk café operators are directed to stack or remove tables and chairs no later than 8 p.m. tonight.
• Restaurants in the High Impact Zone can remain open until 12 a.m. for delivery services only.

The crowds attempting to party in Miami this year are among the largest in recent memory despite spring break being officially canceled by many colleges across the country. Last year, among the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and with strict travel bans, spring break was successfully brought to its knees.

But this year, with vaccinations being spread across the country and students needing to blow off steam from a year of social isolation, it is much harder to cancel the annual party. But in Miami Beach, with the bars and restaurants dark and the beach barricaded by police, the party may be over.

The Mayor has scheduled an emergency meeting today, March 21, at 3 p.m. to discuss and decide what action to take regarding the state of emergency. Interested parties can click the following link to join the webinar: https://miamibeachfl-gov.zoom.us/j/81392857671. The Webinar ID is 813 9285 7671.