UPDATE: Effective June 1, use of the Galt Mile beaches will be expanded to allow picnicking, sunbathing, sitting, or lying on the beach, as well as the use of umbrellas, canopies, chairs, loungers and coolers. The original restrictions were in place to keep people moving on the beach and prevent overcrowding. The restrictions still include no group gatherings or events of more than 10 people and no group or organized sports, like volleyball. County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-14 on Friday, May 29, which further addresses Phase 1 reopening guidelines to slightly expand beach activities as described above.
County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-13 on Friday, May 22, which extends Phase 1 reopening guidelines to beaches, commercial gyms and commercial fitness centers, hotels and other commercial lodging, with restrictions, effective Tuesday, May 26.
The Galt Mile Community Association, under the leadership of President Pio Ieraci, has been working directly with County Commissioner Lamar Fisher on getting our Galt Mile beaches reopened, but doing so in a safe manner. “We appreciate all the efforts and support from Commissioner Fisher in achieving this goal – and we are excited to be able to return to our beautiful Galt beaches – even with the restrictions placed on their use at this time” stated Pio Ieraci. All residents and associations are strongly urged to abide
by these guidelines to protect our fellow residents and not place our beaches in jeopardy of being closed due to flagrant violations.
Highlights of the new order include:
Beaches Open: All beaches can open with limited hours (sunrise to sunset). Ocean activities such as surfing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and body surfing are allowed; also walking, running and biking.
Beach Restrictions for Now: Like other communities across the country, Broward beaches are not yet open for picnicking, sunbathing, sitting or lying on the beach. Group or organized sports (such as volleyball), umbrellas, canopies, chairs, loungers and coolers are also not yet allowed, and no group gatherings of more than 10 people. Beachgoers must maintain social distancing (six feet of separation), except between members of the same household or groups.
Vacation Rentals: Vacation rentals are open, but only for essential lodgers, as authorized by the Governor’s Executive Order 20-87.
Enforcement is critical to the success of the reopening strategy, to ensure that a spike in new cases does not occur, which could result in another complete or partial shutdown. County and Health Department officials are monitoring benchmarks that will help identify the emergence of “hotspots” that can be quickly mitigated.
Law enforcement and code enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce the requirements of the Emergency Order. Failure to comply can result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment or both. Residents can also report violations anonymously online at MyBroward.Broward.org, or by calling the Broward County Call Center at 311 or 954-831-4000.
These re-openings are in addition to those outlined in Emergency Order 20-12 issued May 21. Because COVID-19, however, remains a serious threat to public safety, the social distancing, facial covering and sanitation requirements remain in place for businesses that reopen, and the individuals who patronize them.
Broward County has been under a Local State of Emergency since March 10. For the latest updates, visit FloridaHealth.gov, email [email protected] or call the COVID Call Center at 954-357-9500. To learn what Broward County is doing to keep our community safe, visit Broward.org/Coronavirus.
