No Celebrating July 4th On The Sand & Surf In Broward, Dade, Monroe Counties, Beaches Will Be Closed
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - There will be no celebrating July 4th on Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe county beaches.
"We've seen positive tests increasing. It's alarming. But we have to protect ourselves and the economy."
With those words, Broward County Mayor Dale Holness announced Monday that Broward beaches would be closed for the 4th of July holiday weekend because of the spike in coronavirus case numbers.
WATCH: Mayor Dale Holness Press Conference On Beach Closures
It's a huge disappointment for many who had hoped to celebrate Independence Day on the sand.
"It's always a fun time with my friends, so it's upsetting," lamented Dakota Budau, who said she and her group have been Spending a lot of time at the beach since restrictions were lifted.
South Florida Beaches are busy, especially on the weekend, as restrictions have lifted.
There's been a steady rise in positive COVID cases for the 18 to 44 age group.
"Please make sure you wear your mask in public. That's what this is about, it's about keeping people safe," said Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin.
Police and deputies will enforce the closures in Broward.
The July 4th Beach closures vary depending on where you live in South Florida.
Broward beaches are closed Friday to Sunday, July 3 to July 5.
Miami-Dade beaches will be shut Friday to Tuesday, July 3 to July 7.
Monroe County beaches will close Thursday, July 2, at 5 p.m. and remain shut through Monday, July 6.
And while the sand may be off limits, most restaurants and businesses around the beaches are open, including the pier and cafe at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
Owner Spiro Marchelos said the beach shutdown has a ripple effect.
"We are losing a lot of business. It's gonna affect a lot of people around here," he said. "But we follow the rules of law."
