FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Mayor Dale Holness announced a new executive order Wednesday that was issued by County Administrator Bertha Henry.
The order extends the curfew currently in place until 5 a.m. Monday. The curfew does not apply to people traveling to or from essential workplaces and exempts people “returning directly to their homes after one-way vehicular travel of more than 100 miles.”
Holness said he believes the curfew has lessened the number of large gatherings and parties that have been reported in the county.
“As a result of the action that we’ve taken, we’ve seen some leveling off of the spread of the virus and the positivity rating that we see,” the mayor said.
The new order comes as Broward reported 31 more COVID-19-related deaths Wednesday. The county’s coronavirus cases also increased by 1,313 to 52,970, with the toll at 638.
ICU capacity has reached nearly 92% in Broward, but the mayor says hospitals can increase space if needed. He sais close to 80% percent of the county’s cases involve family spread.
The updated emergency order implements the following:
- While the facial covering requirements remain in full effect, the Emergency Order clarifies that residents are not required to wear them in their home, nor are they liable for facial covering violations of their guests.
- Requires vacation rentals allowed to operate to provide the email and telephone number of their on-site management or security personnel.
- Outdoor, open air events are not permissible unless a reopening or operating plan is submitted to Reopening@Broward.org and approved by the County Administrator.
- Restaurants and retail establishments have been operating under signage requirements for some time. The signage requirements now apply to all establishments and specifies that signs must be placed conspicuously for easy visibility throughout the establishment, 8.5″ x 11″ in size, printed in color whenever possible, and posted in English, Creole and Spanish languages at all main entry points. See Printable Signage.
- Clarifies that even though schools are excluded from the definition of “establishments,” schools are strongly encouraged to follow CDC guidelines. All extracurricular and non-academic activities must comply with Attachment 16 of Broward’s Emergency Order 20-21 (Youth Activities and Summer Camps).
- Extends the curfew until Monday, August 3, 2020 at 5 a.m. The new Order adds to the list of exemptions people returning directly to their homes after one-way vehicular travel of more than 100 miles.
- Clarifies that Attachment 15 governing beaches exempts environmental activities permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to operate beyond sunrise to sunset (e.g. sea turtle nesting program).