Miami-Dade Awakens To New Normal: No Hotels, No Clubs, No Beaches

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Miami-Dade residents awoke to a new normal Tuesday: No hotels, no clubs, no frivolous shopping, no beaches and only takeout or delivery to satisfy their craving for the Miami area's most iconic restaurants.

All "hotels, motels and other commercial lodging establishments" in Miami, Miami Beach and other municipalities in Miami-Dade County were ordered to stop accepting non-essential guests as of Monday.

In Miami Beach, all hotels and short-term rental properties were ordered to shut down no later than 11:59 p.m. Monday except in the case of essential travel.

Starting Tuesday all people living in Miami Beach have been ordered to remain in their homes unless they have to go to grocery stores, convenience stores, food distribution centers, restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies, health care providers, gas stations, auto repair facilities, banks, hardware stores, shipping services, laundry providers, childcare facilities, certain professional services; home-based care for seniors, adults or children; pet supply stores; veterinarian and pet boarding facilities and offices support offices for essential commercial activities.

"Residents and visitors may engage in outdoor activity and recreation in areas not otherwise closed to the public," according to an order issued by Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales.

The "Safer at Home" order allows Miami Beach residents to care for, or support a friend, family member or pet in another household but limits other activities.

The order permits essential workers to make house calls in the case of repair services, appliance repairs, sanitation, extermination, landscaping, pool services and home care.

Miami Beach residents may also travel to and from religious institutions and places of worship in which 10 people or fewer are in attendance provided attendees follow social distancing requirements. The order does not affect government employees and emergency personnel.

Miami-based Jackson Health System, which is one of the largest health care providers in the state, suspended patient visits at most Jackson facilities as of Monday.

"We encourage the use of phone calls, electronic messages and video conference," hospital officials told Patch. "Pediatric, maternity, and inpatient rehabilitation patients may have one healthy visitor and exceptions can be requested to hospital administration for special circumstances."

All visitors will have their temperatures taken upon arrival.

"Student internships, medical observerships, volunteer services and other programs for non-employees have been suspended until further notice," Jackson officials said. "Telecommuting is strongly encouraged for staff who can work remotely."

For more information on the Miami Beach response, click here.

In Sunny Isles Beach, officials imposed a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and ordered all condo gyms and swimming pools to close. No one is permitted to move about the city by any means during the curfew. For more information click here.

The town of Golden Beach asked residents to limit visitors to immediate family members, pool services and lawn care services by crews of four people or fewer. Town officials told residents they may not have exterminators come into their homes. Residents are asked to call the town manager for approval before ordering any emergency home repairs.

The city of North Miami Beach imposed a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Click here for more information.

Aventura ordered all condo pools and tennis courts to be shut down and asked residents to limit service calls only to emergency repairs.

Bal Harbour issued a "Safer at Home Order" urging residents to stay at home. Exceptions include essential retail or commercial activities, outdoor recreational activity, personal support activities and work in “essential activities.”