Miami-Dade Beaches, Stores Shut Down Over Coronavirus

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has ordered people to stay off the Miami areas's world-famous beaches as the number of new cases continues to rise in Florida's most populous county.

"All parks, beaches and recreational facilities in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County shall close at 9 a.m. March 19," the mayor said in an order issued during his self-imposed quarantine after meeting with the president of Brazil, whose press secretary tested positive for the illness.

The order does not apply to parks, beaches and recreational facilities operated by the state or federal government.

The mayor also mandated in a separate order that all "nonessential" retail and commercial businesses to shut down by 9 p.m. Thursday.

Both measures will expire once the county lifts its local state of emergency.

Earlier this week, Gimenez ordered all restaurants to focus on their takeout and delivery businesses and shut down their dining rooms.

The following essential businesses may remain open under the order:

• Health care providers including, but not limited to, hospitals, doctors' and dentists' offices, urgent care centers, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapists, mental health professionals, psychiatrists, therapists and pharmacies.
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This authorization includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences.
• Food cultivation, including farming, livestock and fishing.
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needing individuals.
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media services.
• Gas stations and auto supply, auto repair and related facilities.
• Banks and related financial institutions.
• Hardware stores.
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel, exterminators and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences and other structures.
• Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes.
• Private colleges, trade schools and technical colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning.
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers.
• Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but subject to the limitations and requirements of Emergency Order 3-20. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pickup and takeaway basis. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided or at any other gathering site.
• Businesses that supply office products needed for people to work from home.
• Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate and which do not interact with the general public.
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, goods or services directly to residences.
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers providing services via automobile, truck, bus or train.
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children.
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes and adult day care centers and senior residential facilities.
• Professional services, such as legal or accounting services when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities.
• Landscape and pool-care businesses, including residential landscape and pool-care services.
• Child care facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, child care facilities should operate under the following mandatory conditions: Child care must be carried out in stable groups of 10 or fewer, counting child care providers. Children and child care providers shall not change from one group to another. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix or interact with each other.
• Businesses operating at any airport, seaport or other government facility, including parks and government offices.
• Pet supply stores.
• Logistics providers, including warehouses, trucking, consolidators, fumigators and handlers.
• Telecommunications providers, including sales of computer or telecommunications devices and the provision of home telecommunications.
• Provision of propane or natural gas.
• Office space and administrative support necessary to perform any of the above-listed activities.
• Open construction sites, irrespective of the type of building.
• Architectural, engineering or land surveying services.
• Factories, manufacturing facilities, bottling plans or other industrial uses.
• Waste management facilities, bottling plants or other industrial uses.
• Waste management services, including collection and disposal of water.
• Any business that is interacting with customers solely through electronic or telephone means and delivering products via mailing, shipping or delivery services.