Florida Keys Coronavirus Update: Checkpoints Set Up To Keep Visitors Out
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- If you don't live or work in the Florida Keys - don't come.
That's the message from Monroe County officials.
Two checkpoints opened Friday morning and are manned by officers from the Keys' Monroe County Sheriff's Office. They are located at mile marker 112.5 on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) and on State Road 905 between Ocean Reef and the access point to U.S. 1 in Key Largo.
"We've set up a checkpoint here (US 1) so that we can enforce our message that as much as we love to welcome visitors, this is not the time," said Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers. "We're trying to do our best to control the spread of this virus. Both among visitors who come and interact with each other here, as well as between visitors and our residents, we feel the sooner we can enforce social distancing the sooner we'll get through this."
Only residents, property owners, and those actively involved in work in the Florida Keys are allowed past the traffic checkpoints -- as are fuel tankers, delivery, and grocery trucks.
Proof of residency is required. Those who work in the Florida Keys, such as construction workers, will need to show a letter from their employer, employee identification, a paystub, or current construction contract in the Keys. First responders, healthcare workers, and military actively engaged in work in the Keys will need proper IDs.
Carruthers said one of the difficulties in this closure is that they don't know how long it will last. She added it was necessary to protect residents and visitors alike. Many locals appreciate visitors being kept out, for now. "I think it's great," said Key Largo Resident Nicole Wapinsky. "Honestly with all this crap going on with the coronavirus, we can't have people coming in and infecting everyone. It's just not good. It's not safe for us personally in the keys," she said.
Barbara Rice was shopping for groceries. She's glad it's residents only in the Keys. "It prevents people coming down from Miami and up in that area to buy product down here and the people who live here can't get what they need," she said.
The Keys closed to visitors Sunday, March 22 just days after shutting down all hotels, motels, and short-term rentals..
Keys leaders expect the coronavirus crisis to have a significant effect on the local economy. The tourism industry generated more than $1.8 billion for the economy in 2018, according to a recent study, and supports about 26,500 jobs. "It's going to put a hurtin' on the key's moneywise," said resident Todd Detwieler, "but everybody's got to get healthy first. Money don't mean anything if you're dead!"
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