MIAMI, Fla. – Miami-Dade County’s order for people to wear face coverings at grocery stores, restaurants and other essential services went into effect Friday morning.
The order also applies to people at pharmacies, construction sites, in public transportation and vehicles for hire, and locations “where social distancing measures are not possible.”
Broward County has announced a similar order that takes effect Saturday at 12:01 a.m.
These orders follow what Miami Beach, the City of Miami and many other municipalities put into place this week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance encouraging people to cover their face while in public, particularly in areas hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus.
Acceptable masks can be homemade, or something like a scarf, bandana or cloth covering that goes over the nose and mouth. People are urged not to go out and buy surgical or N95 masks that are in greater need by medical and emergency personnel.
“It is abundantly clear that the coronavirus is being spread by people exhibiting symptoms, as well as those who are asymptomatic,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, whose city implemented its own order, effective Saturday. “These regulations are being put in place to help limit the community spread of COVID-19 by reducing the risk of exposure in an effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of those who live, work, and visit our city.”
The face coverings are not intended to replace social distancing. And face coverings should not be placed on children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing due to another condition.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said police will be patrolling to make sure businesses and construction sites are following the order, and starting Saturday businesses that don’t comply will be shut down.
He had said earlier in the week while he was considering a county-wide order that, “I’ve seen a lot of compliance with our recommendation that everybody wear a facial covering when they’re inside a confined space.”
We're doing everything in our power to help the unemployed and small business owners who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. I share details about this and more in Thursday's message to Miami-Dade County residents: https://t.co/RRRfXPvvyq @MiamiDadeBCC @MiamiDadeEM
— Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez (@MayorGimenez) April 10, 2020
“We’re looking at all the things we can do as a city to protect our residents,” City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said when his order went into place. “We understand that all masks are not completely available, so there is all kinds of different ways that [people] can comply with the order by going online and using things that are readily available in people’s homes.”
Monroe County has ordered essential businesses with more than 10 people inside to make sure everybody is wearing a mask.
See the links below for more information on the various mask orders in cities and counties.
LINKS TO EMERGENCY ORDERS REGARDING FACE MASKS