What has your city done to halt spread of COVID-19? Here’s what you need to know
Want to know whether you can go out or have to stay at home? Whether you can take a bus to work or to the supermarket? Whether you can gather with friends? Go to a house of worship?
Here is a roundup of key measures that cities in Miami-Dade County, along with the county itself, have enacted to limit public interactions.
The municipalities are trying to halt the rapidly escalating number of new coronavirus cases in South Florida, the epicenter of the state’s more than 2,200 cases, as of Thursday.
This story will be updated as additional steps are taken:
Miami-Dade County
On Thursday, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez signed an executive order urging residents to stay home except for essential business.
The county has also capped public gatherings at 10 people.
Gimenez signed the executive order Tuesday afternoon, which applied to all gatherings except for people who take public transportation and those waiting at a bus stop, Metromover stop or Metrorail stop. Also exempted: Government employees and contractors who are providing services on public streets, alleys and sidewalks.
All parks, including county, state and national parks, as well as beaches, are closed.
All nonessential businesses are closed, with many people working from home.
As of Saturday, hotels, motels and other commercial lodging establishments were no longer able to accept new reservations, per the mayor’s executive order.
On Tuesday, Gimenez issued an emergency order urging all people 65 and over and anyone who has a compromised immune system to stay home.
On Thursday, in a new order, he urged all residents to stay at home.
Gimenez’s newest measure, issued March 30, closed all private swimming pools and gyms.
Miami
The city of Miami issued a stay-at-home order, which went into effect at midnight on March 24. Residents are able to break the mandate as long as they’re shopping, exercising and traveling to jobs deemed essential.
Beaches, parks, restaurants, bars, gyms, salons and many office buildings have been ordered closed as well.
City officials also implemented a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew that’s set to begin on March 27.
A COVID-19 testing site has been operating at Marlins Park as of Wednesday.
Miami Beach
A stay-at-home order went into effect in Miami Beach on March 24.
The city order instructs Miami Beach residents to remain in their homes except to go to work, exercise outdoors, seek medical or veterinary care, care for family members, shop for groceries and pet supplies, or abide by a court order or law enforcement action.
“All persons living within the city of Miami Beach are hereby ordered to remain in their homes,” reads the order, signed by Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales on March 23, and which went into effect Tuesday.
The measure doesn’t apply to employees of essential businesses, government workers and more.
Miami Beach also instituted an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on March 23.
Aventura
The city issued a stay-at-home order on March 24. The city said it “strongly recommended” that residents stay in their homes, with fairly broad exceptions, including for “outdoor recreational activities” if done with social distancing.
The measure didn’t apply to employees of essential businesses, those exercising outside, government workers, etc.
A March 31 amendment to its Safer at Home declaration recommended visitors self-park rather than utilize valet services.
Bal Harbour
On March 23, Bal Harbour enacted a Safer at Home order strongly urging residents to stay home.
The village also now requires visitors from 13 states to self-quarantine for two weeks. Those states include New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Louisiana, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.
Bay Harbor Islands
A stay-at-home order went into effect in Bay Harbor Islands on March 24.
The measure didn’t apply to employees of essential businesses, those exercising outside, government workers and more.
All parks, beaches, recreational facilities and nonessential businesses have been closed.
Biscayne Park
On March 27, the village issued a “Safer At Home” emergency order, urging all residents to remain in their homes and prohibiting all public gatherings outside of a home.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables city officials issued an order, which went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday evening, that strongly urges residents to stay at home.
Some of the exceptions included people working at or traveling to essential businesses, those exercising outside and government employees. The order also allowed people to travel to and from houses of worship, as long as the religious institution has fewer than 10 people.
The city also instituted an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew that starts on March 27.
Cutler Bay
Cutler Bay has closed its pool, recreational facilities and suspended athletic leagues at its parks.
Hotels and other commercial lodging establishments are no longer allowed to accept new reservations.
Mayor Tim Meerbott sent a letter to the county mayor urging him to issue a shelter-in-place order.
Doral
Doral issued an order closing parks, recreational facilities and nonessential businesses.
The city implemented a stay-at-home order March 25, whose language is stronger than that of several other municipalities in Miami-Dade saying residents now “must” isolate at home with a few exceptions.
El Portal
The village declared a state of emergency and postponed community events, including the Annual Egg Hunt on April 12.
Florida City
Florida City issued an order March 16 closing dine-in restaurants, bars and clubs. All outdoor activities in city parks are limited to 10 people and all indoor recreational activities are suspended until further notice.
Only two customers at one time will be allowed in the city’s buildings.
Golden Beach
Golden Beach’s safer at home directive went into effect March 24. It limited all traveling except for essential workers, exercise activities and government activities.
The town has shut down all construction sites and has asked all non-residents to stay out of the town’s open spaces.
Hialeah
The city has postponed all special events and public meetings and closed all of its parks and recreational facilities, including its public libraries.
All educational and community service programs have been suspended and events at the Milander Center have been canceled and postponed. The center will be closed for all tours until May 1.
City Hall will be closed to the public starting March 30.
Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez also instituted an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew beginning on night of March 30.
Hialeah Gardens
Hialeah Gardens has closed its parks, recreational facilities and nonessential businesses.
The city has also prepared grocery bags that will be delivered to at-risk residents.
Homestead
A curfew in the city from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. goes into effect on March 27.
Indian Creek
The Indian Creek Country Club closed under a county order.
Under an emergency order, all access to the village is limited to “residential property owners/occupants, their immediate family members, guests (not more than 10 guests at any one time), residential employees/personnel and individuals performing property maintenance.”
Indian Creek was one of several communities to discuss a possible stay-at-home order, but it wasn’t immediately clear whether that order has been implemented.
Key Biscayne
Building, zoning and planning services are being handled electronically and the public bathrooms have closed as a result of beach closures.
Medley
Medley closed parks, recreational facilities and nonessential businesses.
Miami Gardens
Miami Gardens closed all parks, recreational facilities and nonessential business.
The city’s police department will also provide additional security to “local essential establishments, such as Publix and Walmart, during incoming shipment arrivals,” according to Monday’s situation report.
Miami Lakes
Miami Lakes officials announced March 26 that the town was enacting a “Safer at Home” order.
They also said Town Hall would be shut down entirely.
Miami Shores
Most municipal buildings in Miami Shores Village have been closed. Only the building department remains open and will service one customer at a time.
Miami Springs
Miami Springs will deliver meals to senior citizens’ residences.
North Bay Village
The village issued a stay-at-home order March 24. The measure didn’t apply to employees of essential businesses, those exercising outside, government workers and others.
The village also closed parks, beaches, recreational facilities and nonessential businesses.
North Miami
North Miami closed its parks, recreational facilities and nonessential business.
Two commercial marinas in the city have been ordered to close, although residents can still go out on the water from their private homes.
North Miami Beach
Palmetto Bay
Palmetto Bay extended its state of emergency on March 26 for a second time. Village Hall is closed to the public and only essential staff is reporting to work.
Pinecrest
Pinecrest government officials issued an “emergency statement” on March 25 that asked residents to stay home.
They’ve also closed parks, recreational facilities and nonessential business.
All village departments, except police, will exclusively conduct services via phone and email.
South Miami
The city will deliver meals to senior citizens’ residences with the help of South Miami Parks and Recreation and Miami-Dade County.
City Hall closed last Friday; employees have been instructed to work from home.
Sunny Isles Beach
Sunny Isles Beach issued a stay-at-home order on March 26, ordering residents to remain inside except for essential activities.
Similar to Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach has also issued a curfew.
As of Sunday evening, all walking, driving or being outside in general was banned between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Only people walking a pet or police, fire and government workers were the exception.
The city also closed parks, beaches, recreational facilities and nonessential businesses.
Hotels and other commercial lodging establishments are also no longer allowed to accept new reservations.
Sweetwater
Sweetwater implemented an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew that begins March 27.
Two measures went into effect March 30. One put a five person limit on the number of patrons a restaurant or cafeteria can permit inside while the other said liquor stores can only operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Surfside
A stay-at-home order went into effect in Surfside March 24.
The measure didn’t apply to employees of essential businesses, those exercising outside, government workers and more.
Hotels and other commercial lodging establishment are also are no longer allowed to accept new reservations.
Virginia Gardens
Virginia Gardens has been under a Local State of Emergency since March 21.
West Miami
West Miami closed all parks, beaches, recreational facilities and nonessential business.
The city also scaled back its services at City Hall on April 1 as most employees will now work from home.
Broward County
Broward County issued an “emergency shelter-in-place order” March 26. It urges residents to remain inside, with the exception of those working at or traveling to essential businesses, which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers.
Davie
Davie issued a stay-at-home order that goes into effect at 12 a.m. March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses, which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Nonessential business and parks were previously closed.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis issued a stay-at-home order March 26. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Nonessential business, parks and beaches were previously closed.
The measure goes into effect at 12 a.m. March 28, and lasts until April 16.
“Now is the time to stay at home,” the mayor said in a statement. “If we do not do so, the virus could spread rapidly through our community and overwhelm our hospitals. Without concerted action, people are at risk and lives at stake.”
Hallandale Beach
Hallandale Beach issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect March 27. The measure restricted all travel except to essential businesses, which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Nonessential businesses, as well parks and beaches, were previously closed.
The city also has a nightly curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. “until further notice,” per its website.
Hollywood
Hollywood has issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect at 12 a.m. March 27. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Parks, beaches and nonessential businesses were previously ordered closed.
Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale Lakes issued a “safer at home” order that went into effect at midnight March 27. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Parks and nonessential businesses were previously ordered closed.
Lauderhill
Lauderhill issued a “safer at home” order that went into effect at midnight March 27. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Parks and nonessential businesses were previously ordered closed.
Margate
Miramar issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect at midnight March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable — but avoid gatherings of four or more people.
Nonessential business and parks have been previously closed.
Miramar
Miramar issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect at 12 a.m. March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable — but avoid gatherings of four or more people.
Nonessential business and parks have been previously closed.
North Lauderdale
North Lauderdale issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect at midnight March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable — but avoid gatherings of four or more people.
Nonessential business and parks have been previously closed.
Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect at 12 a.m. March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses, which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Nonessential business and parks have been previously closed.
Plantation
Plantation issued a “safer at home” order that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Parks and nonessential businesses were previously ordered closed.
Sunrise
Sunrise issued a “safer at home” order that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Parks and nonessential businesses were previously ordered closed.
Tamarac
Tamarac issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect at midnight March 28. The measure restricts all travel except to essential businesses, which include grocery stores, pharmacies and healthcare providers. Exercising outside is also acceptable.
Nonessential business and parks have been previously closed.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 5:16 PM.
