Miami mayor declares state of emergency amid coronavirus fears as he enters isolation
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced a citywide state of emergency Thursday afternoon amid fears about the spread of the novel coronavirus, one day after the mayor of Miami-Dade County did the same.
The announcement cleared a path for city administrators to quickly purchase goods and services without going through the normal public bidding process. The city is also suspending all special events permits that have been issued. The city will not issue any new special event permits until further notice, effectively preventing the organization of any large-scale events in Miami.
“That will cancel events that are 100-person congregations to ones with several thousands,” Suarez told the Miami Herald.
The city will also work to prevent price gouging in case there are runs on supplies, the mayor said.
Suarez was scheduled to officially declare the state of emergency at a news conference Thursday afternoon, but he entered isolation after learning that a member of the Brazilian government delegation that visited Miami this week tested positive for COVID-19. Suarez was in the vicinity of the delegation.
At the press conference, the city played a video of Suarez’s comments, and the five city commissioners and top administrators told reporters the measure is meant to be a precaution, not a cause for panic.
“I just want to make sure that all of our citizens understand that the measures that we’re taking are to mitigate the potential spread of the virus. This is all precautionary,” said Police Chief Jorge Colina. “I don’t want anybody to think for a second that this affects our ability to respond to any calls for service.”
City Manager Art Noriega said the city is planning to use its emergency purchasing power to buy meals and supplies for senior residents, who are among the most vulnerable in the face of the pandemic.
“We’re working on a plan,” Noriega said.
After the conference, Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla told the Herald he has urged calm to seniors who have called his office. He represents District 1, a stretch from the Jackson Memorial Hospital to Grapeland Heights, with Allapattah and the northern bank of the Miami River in between, that has a large elderly population.
Diaz de la Portilla’s office canceled four community events before Suarez’s announcement. He encouraged residents to avoid congregating as a precaution, to stay home more if possible, but not to panic.
“We’re taking this very seriously,” he said. “This is a vulnerable population.”
The COVID-19 outbreak could alter the nature of future commission meetings. City Attorney Victoria Méndez said that city officials are working with Gov. Ron DeSantis to potentially allow government meetings where officials can join remotely via telephone or video conference while the emergency is ongoing.
Florida health officials confirmed Miami-Dade County’s first positive case of the novel coronavirus, which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared a state of emergency. On Thursday, Gimenez announced the cancellation of several large events, including the Youth Fair in Miami. Other Miami-Dade cities also declared emergencies, including Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Doral.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 9:45 AM.
