You can soon go to a banquet hall or football game in Broward, with some restrictions
Broward County announced Friday the easing of some restrictions on public gatherings put in place in the spring to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The announcement came as Broward public-school officials plan to send students and teachers back to the classroom next month.
The county acknowledged Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement Friday that he was ending all state coronavirus restrictions on businesses, including bars, nightclubs and restaurants. But it said Friday night this “does not prevent the County from enforcing its own state-approved rules.” It didn’t elaborate.
County Administrator Bertha Henry said in a news release earlier Friday that the decision to relax some of the rules is the result of declining cases of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.
While the county reported 191 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate dipped below 5% this week. Henry said that resulted from compliance with mask-wearing, social-distancing and public-gathering rules.
“As a result of that compliance, we can provide our businesses and residents with more flexibility by relaxing some restrictions,” she said.
Specifically, “function spaces” like ballrooms, banquet halls, catering halls and other commercial facilities may operate on a limited basis starting next Friday, Oct. 2.
People can attend non-professional sporting events, including high school games, with certain restrictions.
Small groups of no more than 10 people can participate in athletic events at beaches and parks.
And, the homeowners associations are allowed more flexibility in easing restrictions on pool furnishings, common areas and guests.
This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 2:03 PM.
