On Sunday, Miami Beach officials voted to extend the curfew and other emergency restrictions for three weeks due to concerns about rebel crowds gathering amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Chaotic weekend scenes showed unmasked revelers drinking and partying in the streets in defiance of curfew orders, with police officers even dispatched to try to control the crowd – a decision that drew criticism and accusations of racism. More than 1,000 people have been arrested so far this spring break, according to police.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined to demand that the masks’ mandates be enforced and said his state’s relaxed restrictions helped in the tourism economy.
Now curfews will be extended in an effort to avoid more scenes. The iconic Ocean Drive strip in South Beach will be closed to all cars and pedestrians for four nights a week, while only residents and hotel guests will be allowed to enter certain areas.