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MIAMI (WSVN) - City of Miami officials have announced a curfew for its residents that will begin Friday night.
The curfew was approved during a virtual commission meeting, Wednesday night.
According to officials, all residents must be indoors from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m.
“It’s a curfew. You need to be in your home,” said Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina. “If you’re not in your home, you’re being challenged by us, asking why you are not at home. The commission voted unanimously to implement a curfew from 10 o’clock at night to 5 o’clock in the morning. There are some exceptions. Medical personnel, media, if you are a restaurant, you’re allowed to stay open but only for delivery.”
Police across Miami-Dade County have been patrolling areas where business is still being done to make sure residents and companies are complying with the county mayor’s executive order.
“Keeping that social distancing, I love it,” said one officer to a group exercising outdoors.
Residents are allowed to leave their homes to work, eat, exercise or pick up medicine but must stay at least 6 feet apart.
“To make sure that not only residents but businesses are complying to the executive order signed by Mayor Gimenez,” said Miami-Dade Police detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
“We’re taking swift action against all businesses and residents who are not following my emergency order,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. “I’ve been hearing over and over again that we still do not have 100% compliance.”
Officers all around the county are working to show their support of the mayor’s order and ensuring their residents comply.
“They’re cooped up, we understand, but they need to police themselves and keep it to family, small groups, and keep that six-foot distance,” said Coral Gables police officer Kelly Denham.
“Everyone must act as if they are infected and carrying the virus,” said Gimenez.
People who are headed to work are exempt from the curfew, officials said.
Residents are allowed to walk their pets during this time, but they must remain within several hundred feet of their residence, officials said.
On Thursday, two City of Miami Police officers tested positive for the coronavirus. The officers are now in isolation and said to be doing OK.
Miami Lakes is set to issue a “safer-at-home” order at 5 p.m. on Thursday. They are also expected to close their town hall.
7News has compiled a complete list of South Florida cities with stay-at-home orders.
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