Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava Will Lift Countywide Curfew On Monday April 12
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced on Monday that she will lift the countywide curfew next Monday, April 12.
A month ago, Levine Cava announced the curfew could be lifted by April 5, if the 14-day COVID-19 positivity rate average is at or below 5.5 percent. However, the County's 14-day positivity rate was 6.41% on Sunday.
Despite that, the mayor said the decision was based on current scientific data.
"We developed these new guidelines based on the current status of the COVID response, the availability of the vaccine, the aggressive campaign that we're mounting," said Levine Cava. "We considered all of the available data, including the 14-day positivity rate, and also hospitalization from COVID, and death rates. So these have all declined significantly, as vaccinations for the most vulnerable has expanded, and our overall vaccination program has progressed."
Mayor Levine Cava said the move comes as nearly 72% of Miami-Dade who are 65 years of age and over are reportedly vaccinated. With the help of local health leaders and mass vaccine availability, the mayor said this is the day many have been waiting for.
"We worked with health experts like Dr. Peter Paige and we've worked with our residents to reinforce the essential public health protections that were needed for us to help us keep everybody safe," said the Mayor. "I'm very grateful that the governor heeded the calls from local mayors like myself and Orlando, and that we've been able to expand eligibility and this truly is a turning point for us in addressing this disease."
With the vaccinations and end of curfew on April 12 comes an increased focus on tourism and hospitality which lost millions of dollars since the start of the pandemic.
"We've worked so hard over this past year and so many have sacrificed so much to get us through this pandemic year, and to get us to where we are today," said Levine Cava.
Levine Cava also announced there will be new COVID safety rules for residents and businesses to replace the county's "New Normal" guidelines which were put in place by former Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
Mayor Levine Cava also said wearing a mask and getting vaccinated are the two most important things for the public to do in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
"If we do those two things, we will beat this, we will beat this pandemic, we will get back to normal and we will be able to begin building back our economy as well."
The number of COVID-19 vaccinations in Miami-Dade County has reached more than 795,000 and should increase significantly now that Floridians 18 and over can get the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine while 16-and-17-year olds can get the Pfizer shot.
Miami-Dade County's curfew will remain in effect from midnight to 6 a.m. for one more week. After that, restaurants, bars and other non-essential businesses will no longer have to shutdown at midnight.
