Curfew imposed in Florida's South Beach amid US COVID-19 spike

Miami Beach, Florida, US: Miami Beach Police blocked streets surrounding the South Beach Entertainment District on Saturday, July 18 as it enforced a newly established 8 pm-6 am (0000-1000GMT) curfew in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Restaurants on famed Ocean Drive were closed to all but delivery business. The street will remain closed to vehicular traffic during daylight hours. Miami Beach, Florida, imposed the curfew in its entertainment district after social media posts showed maskless revelers crammed into restaurant patios. The restrictions are set to run through July 24. 

"Well, what we're hoping in this specific section of Miami Beach, where we have a lot of visitors, we have a lot of folks who aren't necessarily complying with the mandates and the orders to wear a face cover and to have that social distancing. So, we're hoping that by closing earlier, it actually tones down the party and or allows these folks to go home, go back to their hotels wherever they're staying, and possibly keep everyone else around them. Everyone else in our city safe." said Ernesto Rodriguez, spokesperson, Miami beach police department.

Florida's Department of Health on Saturday reported 10,327 new cases of COVID-19. Down from a record 15,300 on July 12.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday reported 3,630,587 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 74,710 cases, and said the number of deaths had risen by 918 to 138,782.