Officials in Broward have extended the county's curfew through the weekend.
The curfew is in effect each day from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Monday, August 3 at 5 p.m.
No person, in all incorporated and unincorporated areas of Broward County, should be out in any street or sidewalk for any purpose except for active-duty police, fire rescue, first responders, news media, delivery or transportation drivers and more. The new order also says people returning directly to their homes after one-way vehicular travel of more than 100 miles are also exempted.
The county's emergency order also clarifies other orders regarding facial covering requirements, rental or vacation homes, outdoor events and more. It was issued Wednesday in response to the rising number of coronavirus cases and to county hospitals nearing capacity.
Facial coverings are required in Broward County, but residents are not required to wear them in their homes.
The order also clarifies that outdoor, open air events are not permitted unless a reopening or operating plan is submitted and approved by the county administrator.
Visible signage requiring masks and encouraging social distancing applies to all establishments and should be placed at main entry points. Only restaurants had to do that under the previous order.
Another change is that vacation rentals must have someone on site at all times.
“They must have someone on staff, on sight 24 hours 7 days a week,” Holness said. “We want that person’s name, phone number and email address.”
Read the full emergency order here.
Law enforcement is also making changes. Sheriff Gregory Tony says for the past two weeks deputies have been cracking down on large parties or gatherings to help fight COVID-19 and fight crime.
“Anytime we’re having large gatherings of 100-150 plus people, it’s crystal clear that we’re not seeing compliance with the CDC recommendation,” Tony said during a virtual press conference. “Therefore more people will contract this virus.”
For example on July 12, four people were shot as a house party was ending. Lunide Denis, 24, was among two people who died.
Since the pandemic started, BSO has gotten more than 1,100 calls complaining about house parties, according to Tony.
“It became clear that we were gonna have to start shutting some of these parties down,” Tony said. “We need to get better compliance out of our community."
So far, BSO has made 25 arrests and has issued 260 citations since the crackdown started.
As of Wednesday, Broward County reported 52,970 COVID-19 cases, an increase of more than 1,300, along with 638 virus-related deaths, an increase of 31. Intensive care unit beds at hospitals in the county were at 92% capacity.
