Miami-Dade Curfew To Begin Later; Beaches Remain Closed

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez pushed back the start time of his countywide curfew order on Wednesday but left beaches closed for at least another day and possibly until this weekend.

The curfew was imposed Saturday night after a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd turned violent in downtown Miami. Seventeen police vehicles were damaged and a Miami police officer suffered a broken hand when she was pelted by a rock.

Gimenez changed the curfew order to begin at midnight following three straight days of peaceful protests in Miami. The curfew ends at 6 a.m. each day.

Miami-Dade County beaches had been scheduled to reopen Monday but that reopening was postponed following Saturday night's violent protests in Miami.

Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez asked that the curfew remain in effect until this weekend. Gimenez has said he plans to allow beaches to reopen once the curfew is lifted.

The later curfew time will likely benefit local restaurants that have been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus shutdown.

Most Miamians may not even notice the beach closure as South Florida remains under a flood watch until at least Friday morning.

The city of Miami Beach also amended its emergency order Wednesday to limit the use of the Purdy Boat Ramp to Miami Beach residents and to clarify that the reopening of swimming pools includes public community pools.

The community pools at Flamingo Park and Normandy Isle are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for lap swimming. Users are permitted to swim for 60 minutes with two swimmers per lane. The Scott Rakow Youth Center pool is temporarily closed for construction.

Banquet facilities and similar businesses may reopen at 50 percent capacity based on guidelines for hotel convention and banquet facilities. Click here for more details.