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Lockdown for Miami not out of the question, says city’s mayor

Drastic measures considered to help slow coronavirus outbreak

MIAMI – Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez have both said they are considering tougher measures to control the impact of the pandemic.

Mayor Francis Suarez answered questions Friday in an interview on ABC’s “The View” and talked about more possible changes.

When asked if he was considering a lockdown scenario in Miami, Suarez said he had spoken with the mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, about what was happening in her city. “She is a friend,” said Suarez. He acknowledged: “Yes, we are considering that.”

As of Friday, all non-essential retail and commercial businesses are closed, parks and beaches are also closed as an effort to help stop the spread of the virus. Only essential businesses can remain open like grocery stores, social services and news organizations.

Miami-Dade County’s transit scheduled has been reduced. Officials are encouraging transit riders to only use buses and trains for essential trips.

Gimenez, in his daily YouTube update on the county’s response to COVID-19 said local, state and the federal government are assuring businesses that they will get help.

“The relief package from the White House and Congress relief package will help with weekly compensation for workers and there is a program for small businesses,” said Gimenez

He stated that there will be an office established in Miami-Dade County eventually that will help businesses “navigate through the bureaucracy to be sure that we get all the help that we deserve from the federal government and that this help gets to those most in need,” Gimenez said.


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