Miami Beach close down parks a week after reopening

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The City of Miami Beach has decided to close down several parks including South Pointe Park even before completing a week since reopening. The decision arrived after a crowd of nearly 8000 gathered without face masks and broke all social distancing measures undertaken as a response to curb further spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Miami Beach Police Department announced it was shutting down the parks at the beaches until further notice right after issuing more than 7000 verbal masks warnings and above 450 failed social distancing warnings.


The maximum number of violators was found at the South Pointe Park among other recreational facilities that opened in Miami after restrictions were relaxed as of April 29. According to reports, visitors at the beach were allowed with proper face coverings while maintaining six feet distance. It was also ordered that any gathering involving more than 10 individuals had to be strictly avoided and all groups had to stay away from participating in any organized activities, sports, or classes on the beach. However, all of these rules were defied and violated by residents.


City Manager Jimmy Morales said in a recent press statement that efforts undertaken by city authorities were wasted after violators failed to adhere to social distancing norms. He also informed that authorities were targeted with hostility but officers dispersed the crowd and were bound to close down the parks despite an uproar. He further added that the city reopened the parks with the faith and hope that people would follow the health safety measures.


He mentioned that the gathering at South Pointe Park proved to be an exception but the degree of non-compliance raised concerns after the crowd refused to obey the city staff that encouraged people to follow measures. He said in a situation where hundreds of individuals had a bitter behavior and refused to abide by the rules, social distancing measures could not be enforced and closures had to be implemented once again.

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