Miami Coronavirus Curfew Takes Effect Friday Night

MIAMI, FL — Miami will become the latest U.S. city to impose a daily curfew starting at 10 p.m. Friday. The curfew runs until 5 a.m. the following morning and every day thereafter until further notice.

"This is yet another measure we're taking to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep our residents safe," Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told residents on social media.

Suarez tested positive for the new coronavirus after spending time with the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, and Fabio Wajngarten, the Brazilian president's press secretary. Wajngarten later tested positive for the illness.

The mayor said all residents of Miami are ordered to stay inside their homes during the curfew hours.

"For everyone's safety law enforcement will be working to ensure that nobody is walking along our sidewalks or driving in our streets for nonessential reasons," the mayor said. "Exceptions include first responder duties, utility emergency repairs, food delivery, medical care, traveling to and from work by employees of essential establishments and walking of dogs within 250 feet of your residence."

The mayor urged people who must be out for a permitted reason to observe social distancing recommendations of standing at least six feet away from the closest person.

"This is yet another measure we're taking to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep our residents safe," the mayor added. "Your health and wellness is our top priority."

Miami is located in Miami-Dade County, which is considered the epicenter of Florida's new coronavirus outbreak along with nearby Broward County and Palm Beach County.

The three South Florida counties account for more than half of all the cases in the state.

All Miami-Dade residents received an emergency alert on their mobile devices Friday urging them to remain indoors.