Watch CBS News

Coronavirus Update: Miami-Dade Joins Miami Beach In Closing Hotels, Motels

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - To stem the spread of coronavirus throughout Miami-Dade, Mayor Carlos Gimenez has issued an executive order that will close most hotels and motels in the county.

"I have ordered that all hotels, motels and temporary vacation rentals shut down their operations throughout Miami-Dade except to house essential personnel and people who are unable to get back into their homes," Gimenez wrote in the order.

Read: Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez Executive Order

Here are the exceptions.

On a limited basis, lodging will be available for first responders, airline crewmembers, patients' families, and journalists from out of town.

Hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments that have individuals who have weekly and monthly long-term living agreements can remain in place. This includes people unable to return their home due to COVID-19 impacts on travel, people had to leave their homes due to 'exigent circumstances', people using hotels as transitional living arrangements, and people living in hotels due to domestic violence.

Also, short-term vacation rentals must end by Monday, March 23, 2020, until further notice. No new rental agreements must be entered into on a nightly or weekly basis starting Monday.

Guests are not being told to immediately leave. The Mayor is being flexible for them to make accommodations.

Gimenez has also signed an order to stop the practice of boats "rafting up" together for partying out at sea or in Biscayne Bay. Boat owners can go out with groups small enough to practice social distancing, keeping six feet between people on their boats. They must not, however, be huddling with other boats. Only in an emergency situation where one boat needs to be towed by another can boats be tied together to head back to a marina or dock.

In addition, based on Governor Ron DeSantis' order issued March 20th, businesses that are providing services to cities, the county, the state or the federal government can continue to operate.

The City of Miami Beach is also ordering its hotels to check out guests by 11:59 p.m. Monday March 23rd. One minute later, a citywide curfew will go into effect from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. every day.

RELATED:
Coronavirus Curfews In South Florida
Coronavirus, Pandemic, Quarantine, Social Distancing: All The Terms You Need To Know
Washing Your Hands Is Best Defense Against Coronavirus, Not A Facemask 
Track The Spread Of The Coronavirus In Real Time
Think You Have Coronavirus? Call Florida's COVID-19 Hotline Before Going To Doctor Or ER

Ultra Music Festival was initially scheduled to return to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami this weekend but was canceled due to the fast spreading virus. All of those visitors were expected to fill hotels in Miami and Miami Beach and the Mayor has a message for them.

"I want to thank young people who are taking this world pandemic seriously and practicing social distancing. Please keep telling your friends to keep your distance."

Mayor Gimenez initially made an announcement about hotels alongside Miami Beach's order Friday night. However, he met with County Attorney's and scaled back the guidelines to the order he released Saturday.

Since the Mayor is not ordering hotels to a total shutdown, he says their kitchens can remain open for take-out.

The Mayor knows the restrictions are impacting our main economic engine which is tourism. The Mayor also made a plea to small business owners, including hotels, asking them not to lay off anybody.  If they do, he says owners may lose out on qualifying for federal and state relief.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.