More restrictions announced in Florida Keys as COVID-19 cases rise
A major Florida Keys municipality popular with day trippers from the mainland announced that it will close all of its public beaches and boat ramps beginning next week and lasting into the middle of August.
The decision comes as the daily numbers of positive cases of the novel coronavirus continue to climb at an alarming clip throughout the archipelago.
On Friday, the Florida Department of Health reported 53 new cases of COVID-19 in Monroe County in one 24-hour period, which is an all-time high since the pandemic began.
The Keys now have a total of 768 confirmed cases of the virus, according to the latest health department numbers. Cases skyrocketed in the island chain since two checkpoints erected in late March to keep tourists — and COVID-19 cases — out of the Keys came down June 1.
On May 31, there were 108 cases.
The silver lining is the death rate hasn’t risen much since then, when four people were reported to have died from the disease. The latest figures are six deaths. And, so far, the Keys’ three hospitals have been able to accommodate people needing treatment for COVID-19 complications.
The health department Friday said 19 people are hospitalized with the novel coronavirus — 13 at the Lower Keys Medical Center and six between Baptist Health’s two hospitals (Mariners Hospital in Tavernier and Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon).
Nevertheless, governments throughout the Keys, including Monroe County, are scaling back their reopening efforts.
Already, Monroe this week announced it will prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting next Friday, July 24, to Aug. 19.
Restaurants throughout the county must also close between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the same time frame. Stand-alone bars have already been closed per the governor’s executive order.
The county also made it a crime not to wear a mask in public, including outside, when social distancing isn’t possible. The City of Key West, meanwhile, mandated masks outside no matter the social-distancing possibilities.
Later in the week, the Village of Islamorada announced that from July 24 through Aug. 19, all of its public beaches, including the popular “Fills” from mile marker 77.5 to 78.8 will be closed.
This means no cars, picnicking, tents, chairs or other items will be allowed on the often-crowed roadside beaches, according to a village press release.
Anne’s Beach and Library Beach will also be closed to the public.
Public boat ramps on East Ridge Road, Blackwood Drive and the Indian Key Boat Ramp will also be closed.
The policy doesn’t affect private boat ramps and marinas, which can stay open, the press release states.
Founders Park, at mile marker 87 on the bay side of U.S. 1, will only be open to residents during this time period. Entry will require proof of residency or homeownership in the village. Amenities at the park will be open at 50 percent capacity.
The boat ramp at the park’s Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina is also only open to residents and lodging guests staying at Islamorada hotels or vacation rental homes.
Guests must show a lease, reservation or receipt from the vacation rental or hotel where they are staying, which must match their ID, to use the ramp, according to the press release.
These guests can only use the ramp and cannot remain at the park to use its amenities, village officials say.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 5:02 PM.
