FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward County has implemented a daily curfew and other restrictions as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise.
County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-22, which implements a daily curfew for the county.
The curfew goes into effect Friday night and will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The curfew is currently set to last through Aug. 1.
Broward County Mayor Dale Holness said at a press conference, “Emergency order 20-22 will implement new restrictions to curtail the large social gatherings. I’m imploring the public to take personal responsibility to safeguard the health and well being of each other. Our action is in response to the increase in the number of positive tests and the high positivity rates that we’ve seen. We’re losing three lives per day on average in Broward County. The life you save could be your own. Let’s do what’s necessary in order to protect ourselves and protect our community.”
Since March 1, Fort Lauderdale Police has responded to more than 1,100 house parties in the county.
Exemptions to the curfew include: active duty police, fire rescue, first responders, news media, delivery or transportation drivers, government employees, persons seeking emergency medical care and medical, health care and utility service personnel.
Also exempt are individuals traveling to and from their place of employment, returning to their homes after commercial travel and persons walking their pets within 250 feet of their residence.
Chris Nelson was attempting to question Mayor Holness at the press conference when he was arrested on a trespassing charge.
After being released from jail, Nelson said, “I’m not sure where in the Constitution there’s the clause for a virus cancels the Constitution. Well, I disagree with the arrest, but yeah, I think it was worth it. Anything that brings attention to the fact that blatant Constitutional violations are happening right now.”
Other changes under the order include:
- Private gatherings of over 10 people are prohibited.
- People who go to the gym must wear a face mask at ALL times.
- Restaurant bar counters are now closed.
- Vacation rentals banned unless there is 24/7 security and on-site management
Holness said installing these measures are inconvenient, but necessary. “The well being of the people in Broward County is at stake. For us not to do everything we can wouldn’t be right. In civilized society, we have rules that we are governed by to protect each of us, and this is what this is doing. We’re in this together, all of us. All of us have a responsibility to stop the spread of this deadly virus,” he said.
Authorities said anyone can call 311 to report someone breaking the rules.
The full order can be viewed below.
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