City of Miami residents ordered to stay at home starting Tuesday

MIAMI (WSVN) - The mayor of Miami has announced that the city will be issuing a stay at home order starting Tuesday.

Mayor Francis Suarez announced the order in a video shared on social media Tuesday afternoon.

“We are putting a shelter in place order, or stay at home order, [Tuesday],” Suarez said. “I’ve been trying to do it for the last week. Unfortunately, I’ve been getting resistance internally, but thanks to Commissioner [Alex] Díaz de la Portilla and others who have been so helpful, we’re going to be putting it in today and hoping that people get the message to stay home, and if you’re coming for spring break, go home.”

The stay at home order went into effect at 11:59 p.m.

According to officials, residents are allowed to:

• Travel within the city to seek goods and services from essential retail establishments, such as grocery stores and pharmacies.
• Travel within the city to perform work in support of essential activities and establishments.
• Travel within the city to deliver essential services to homes, such as repair, landscaping and pool services.

Officials said residents are allowed to participate in outdoor recreational activities as long as they do not enter areas that have been closed to the public, such as parks, and practice social distancing.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke on the order at a press conference Wednesday.

“Different communities have done additional mitigation measures,” he said. “South Florida is basically down to central businesses. Everyone else is staying at home.”

The City of Miami has the most cases of the coronavirus in Florida with 196 cases as of 6 p.m., Tuesday. The next highest municipality is Hollywood with 75 cases.

The mayor also announced that he had once again tested positive for the virus and will continue to remain in quarantine.

Suarez also said seniors 65 and older who are exhibiting symptoms can be tested in their homes at no charge thanks to City of Miami Fire Rescue.

“That one, our firefighters will come to you and will administer the test,” said Suarez.

Miami Beach was the first city in South Florida to implement a stay at home order for its residents. Miami now joins Miami Beach, Golden Beach, Coral Gables, Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbor Village, the town of Surfside and Aventura as some of the cities who have issued similar orders.

A new testing site at Marlins Park opens on Wednesday, according to Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. The site is limited to seniors 65 years old or older with a prescription.

During a news conference at the site, Gimenez said, “I signed an emergency order that prohibits any gathering of more than 10 people in public areas. All groups of 10 people or fewer must practice social distancing of 6 feet apart from one another.”

The mayor of Doral also signed a safer-at-home order which will take effect 11:59 p.m., Wednesday.

7News has compiled a complete list of South Florida cities with stay at home orders.

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