According to Miami’s mayor, the famous beaches of Miami are being shut down for five days over the fourth of July holiday. The hope is to stem the tide of an alarming increase in positive coronavirus tests in the state.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who despite a record 8.942 new cases reported in a single day in the state on Friday, did not receive the move well. He has declined to reverse Florida’s reopening that started last month.
The beaches will be closed by the order of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez from Friday, July 3 until Tuesday, July 7, and that he will not allow gatherings of 50 or more people during that time.
He specifically said that “As we continue to see more COVID-19 positive test results among young adults and rising hospitalizations, I have decided that the only prudent thing to do to tamp down this recent uptick is to crack down on recreational activities that put our overall community at higher risk. I have been seeing too many businesses and people ignoring these lifesaving protocols. If people are not going to be responsible and protect themselves and others from this pandemic well, the government is forced to step in and restore common sense to save lives.”
In the end, Gimenez added that public viewing of fireworks at all parks and beaches in the county will not be allowed, and fireworks must be seen from a person’s home or parked car.
The situation and suspension starting July 3 would be extended if conditions do not start to get better and improve.
Mayor Gimenez strongly argued that after all the success they have had tamping down the COVID-19 curve, they cannot turn back and overload their hospitals, putting doctors and nurses at greater risk with more emergency room cases.