What you need to know about COVID-19 in South Florida: Miami, Broward and the Keys
Overview
- All businesses, including restaurants, movie theaters and nightclubs have reopened with some restrictions.
- Masks are still required. Mask fines can be issued, but you won’t have to pay until later.
- Many Florida universities are moving classes online after Thanksgiving to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
- Fares temporarily suspended for public buses.
Social Distancing
- Everyone is still required to wear a mask inside businesses.
- Masks must be worn on the dance floor in Miami-Dade nightclubs, including in Miami Beach.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended mask fines. Miami-Dade and Broward say fines will be issued but payment won’t be collected until later.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending people avoid traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Business and facilities
Restaurants in Miami-Dade and Broward are open for takeout, delivery, indoor and outside dining. Restaurants in the Keys are also open.
- All businesses, including movie theaters, gyms, bars and clubs are open with some restrictions.
A midnight to 6 a.m. curfew in Miami-Dade County can remain in effect, a court rules.
- Beaches and parks open for limited recreational activities, including swimming and running.
Schools
Classes will move online at UM, FSU, UF and other Florida universities after Thanksgiving because of COVID-19 concerns.
South Florida schools and universities are tracking student and employee COVID-19 cases. Click here to check yours.
COVID-19 changes include less people on the school bus, some kids are eating in their classroom and everyone is wearing a mask. Some masks are prohibited.
How to get help
- Call 211 for help in connecting to various health and human resources available in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, including food banks, financial assistance and domestic violence hotlines. The 24-hour helpline provides information in English, Spanish and Creole. For emergencies, call 911.
- Call 211 in Broward County for help finding food, housing, healthcare, senior services and child care.
Public transport
- Fares for Broward buses, Miami-Dade buses and Metrorail temporarily suspended.
- Route schedules may be changed or suspended because of COVID-19. For Tri-Rail, click here. For Miami-Dade Transit, click here. For Broward, click here.
- Brightline rail temporarily suspended.
- You can still request Uber and Lyft, but Uber Pool and Lyft shared rides are temporarily suspended.
Updated: Nov. 23, 2020
This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 11:49 AM.