Florida beaches from Palm Beach to Key West will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Here are the counties that have announced closures:
Monroe County
Monroe County, along with all municipalities in the Florida Keys, will be closing beaches beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, through the morning of Tuesday, July 7, according to Monroe County Public Information Officer Kristen Livengood.
The city of Key West said in a statement that its beach closure is being done “to avoid large crowds gathering during this Covid-19 pandemic. The closure dovetails with that of Monroe County’s beaches to help send a clear message of safety.”
In that statement, Key West city officials added that masks will be required inside establishments, though they can be removed – once people are seated – to eat in a complying restaurant. Masks are also required outdoors when people are unable to remain six feet from others, such as walking down a crowded sidewalk.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez says all beaches and parks in the county will close this Friday, through Tuesday, July 7. He warned the closure could be extended if conditions don’t improve and people don’t follow rules designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Broward County
Deputy County Administrator Monica Cepero issued an Emergency Order 20-19, which officially closes the beaches from 12:01 a.m. on Friday through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. The order also clearly identifies the entities authorized to enforce the closure and sets forth consequences for non-compliance, including civil and criminal penalties.
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner told CNN on Sunday that he will also be issuing an order to close beaches under his jurisdiction.
“In consultation with our county administrator, we will be issuing an order tomorrow, tomorrow morning, that will close the Palm Beach County beaches throughout the entirety of the county for the holiday weekend,” Kerner said.
“It is an unfortunate result, but public health remains the focus of the elected leaders of Palm Beach County,” Kerner added. “Unfortunately, this Fourth of July will not be spent at the beach.”
Kerner’s office tells CNN the closures will be from Friday until Sunday.