Curfew, what curfew? Massive crowds of Spring Breakers let loose in Miami despite 8pm restriction before cops clear partygoers off the streets
Spring Breakers partied into the weekend in Miami despite officials putting a curfew in place to stop crowds from gathering on the boardwalk.
Worries about renewed Covid-19 outbreaks prompted Miami officials to enact a nighttime curfew following an infusion of rowdy 'spring breakers' that have frustrated locals.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said she was concerned the number of new positive cases were growing along with hospitalizations because it could be a sign of a surge approaching.
As of Friday night, more than 30.1 million people have tested positive for the virus in the US, and more than 548,000 have died since the start of the pandemic.
According to the Florida Department of Health, there are currently more than 2 million total positive cases in Florida, with more than 33,700 fatalities.
To stem the spread from maskless crowds in Miami, an 8pm curfew was put in effect in the entertainment district for Thursday through Monday, March 29. Road closures lasted from 10pm until 6am, the Miami-Dade Transportation & Public Works shared on Twitter.
The MacArthur, Venetian and the Julia Tuttle Causeway were partially closed, with the agency sharing that there could be delays to Metrobus routes until March 29.
Worries about renewed Covid-19 outbreaks prompted Miami officials to enact a nighttime curfew following an infusion of rowdy 'spring breakers' that have frustrated locals
Revelers walk away as police officers ask them to leave during an 8pm curfew imposed by local authorities on spring break festivities
Curfew was imposed on the entertainment district in Miami Beach
Despite the road closures, party goers still took to the streets and many ignored Miami Beach police officers who tried to get them to leave.
While there were a few people wearing masks, the vast majority of those out partying did not appear to have masks on.
'What we are experiencing this year is not your typical spring break,' Miami Beach Commissioner Steven Meiner said to CBS Miami of the chaos at the beach.
Despite the road closures, party goers still took to the streets and many ignored Miami Beach police officers who tried to get them to leave
A woman rides a scooter as police ride behind her enforcing the curfew
A woman dance in front of a patrol vehicle as police officers ask revelers to leave during an 8pm curfew
Miami Beach police officers enforce an 8pm curfew imposed by local authorities on March 26
More police sit out on the street as they tell party goers to head home and enforce the curfew on Miami Beach
A woman pulls a suitcase as police officers ask revelers to leave during an 8pm curfew
Street vendors do their best to get away from police as they arrive on Ocean Drive to stop the massive crowds that have gathered
Miami Beach police officers enforce an 8pm curfew imposed by local authorities on spring break festivities, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
A group of partygoers convene in front of a squad car as police tell people to leave the area
Meiner also described the large crowds as being too unruly for authorities.
'Our officers are far outnumbered and really we don't have the resources to contain the amount of crowds and the kind of behavior we're seeing,' Meiner added.
'We had over 100 illegal guns confiscated, drugs, it just really became a necessity at that point to do the curfew,' said Commissioner Meiner.'
Many Miami residents are in favor of the curfew, noting that the spring breakers have made life miserable for them.
The scenes from Miami Beach come as a top public health official said she was 'deeply concerned' about the trajectory of COVID-19 cases.
Miami Beach Commissioner said this year was 'not your typical Spring Break' amid the pandemic. Officer ride down the usually bustling Ocean Drive on Miami Beach after dispersing partygoers
Restaurants and bars which would usually be packed out were cleared of patrons as the curfew kicked in
Roads along Ocean Drive were completely shut down by officers, and will remain closed until March 29
Ocean Drive would usually be bustling with Spring Breakers but this year officers enforced an 8pm curfew after a weekend of chaos last week
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the number of new cases over a 7-day period increased seven percent over the previous week. She also said hospitalizations are increasing, which could be a sign of a surge in cases approaching.
'I remain deeply concerned about this trajectory. We have seen cases and hospital admissions move from historic declines to stagnations to increases. And we know from prior surges that if we don't control things now, there is a real potential for the epidemic curve to soar again,' she said, ABC News reports.
As of Friday night, more than 30.1 million people have tested positive for the virus in the US, and more than 548,000 have died since the start of the pandemic.
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