Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-09, effective Friday, May 8, stating that all beaches in Broward County will remain closed. This Emergency Order shall expire upon the expiration of the existing State of Local Emergency. The county gave no potential date as to when the beaches may reopen. This order applies to all public and private beaches in Broward County.
Click here to read Emergency Order 20-09 and subsequent materials.
Gov. DeSantis announced that he would like to see Broward and Miami-Dade “move into Phase 1 on May 18” Both Palm Beach and Miami-Dade officials have targeted May 18 for beach re-openings. Earlier, all three counties had agreed to align their re-opening plans to deter people from overrunning the county with fewer restrictions. DeSantis said he was hopeful those counties could move into Phase 1 reopening by May 18, provided the trends for new coronavirus cases are downward. Beachgoers will be limited to “activities consistent with social distancing and exercise,” meaning walking, swimming, biking, running, fishing and surfing, according to the emergency order.
Gov DeSantis indicated that May 18 could be an option for reopening Broward County beaches and possibly Phase 1 of the reopening plan.
Phase 1 reopening, according to state guidelines, means elective surgeries can recommence at hospitals, and restaurants will be allowed to open at 25% capacity. Bars and gyms will remain closed, but barber shops, hair salons and nail salons will be allowed to open.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis stated, “I recently asked the governor for permission to begin a phased reopening with continued safeguards for our health. He had specifically prohibited Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties from any substantial reopening despite allowing the rest of the state to move forward. However, he now has indicated that could change soon. We have taken the limited steps to reopen some amenities that the governor and Broward County have allowed to this point. We have permitted passive recreation in our parks, opened golf courses, allowed multifamily associations to open their pools and expanded the operation of boat ramps and marinas.”
Trantalis concluded by saying, “I hope we can quickly continue to open more aspects of our society. Our economy has suffered with businesses shut down and unemployment rising. The status quo is simply not sustainable.”
