Both Miami and Miami Beach and other authorities will increase police presence to enforce health measures.
Doctors, infectious disease specialists and public authorities warn the general public in South Florida to “comply with each of the established health measures,” to prevent the spread of coronavirus on Labor Day.
“Any long weekend can result in a breeding ground for the virus,” said Dr. Yvonne Johnson, medical director at South Miami Hospital.
“Labor Day is one of those parties where we all like to get together,” he recalled. “You see what happened after Memorial Day and July 4th,” he said.
In fact, on May 25, Memorial Day, Florida reported only 879 cases. Two weeks later, on June 13, Florida reported 2,581 new cases.
The long weekend of July 4 something similar happened: 11,000 new cases of COVID-19 and a week later 15,000 more contagions were reported.
The problem lies in the meetings. “In non-compliance with physical distance and the use of masks,” stressed Dr Javier Santos, a specialist in infectious diseases.
“I don’t think the protests that took place at the end of May and in June have taken place,” said the Galen. “Studies show that the vast majority of protesters wearing masks, although they did not keep their distance. And that helped prevent contagion,” he added.
He stressed, “As long as we don’t have a safe vaccine, there’s nothing else to wear a mask and keep physical distance.”
Indeed, concern arises when some 900,000 people are expected to travel around the country over the long labour day weekend, without proper protection.
Meanwhile, the Miami-Dade County Government announces that it will keep the beaches open and Miami Beach is preparing to handle the increase in visitors.
“People know they have to wear masks while walking down the street, visiting a commercial venue or walking on the beach,” recalled La Playa Mayor Dan Gelber.
Miami Beach Police announced that the number of vigilantes will increase, both on the streets and on the beach.
“Those who do not comply will be fined,” the mayor recalled. Indeed, the current penalty bets $100, and $500 for businesses that fail to comply with the regulations, in addition to the closure that could be imposed on them.
Let’s remember that the curfew in Miami-Dade, including Miami and Miami Beach, and each of the municipalities that make up the county, begins at 10 p.m.
“I understand that people are fed up with coronavirus and masks, but we haven’t beaten the pandemic yet. And if we fail again, we will back down with another regrowthe,” Dr Santos stressed.
The Florida Health Authority reported Friday, September 4, that Miami-Dade County 491 new coronavirus contagions, after reporting 3,200 just a month ago.
Miami-Dade also reported the deaths of 32 people in 24 hours, 14 fewer than yesterday.
On the other hand, Florida reported 3,198 new cases, 373 fewer than yesterday, as well as 100 deces in 24 hours, 49 less than yesterday.
