Spring break is OVER: Florida closes bars and bans large beach gatherings

Spring break is OVER: Florida closes bars and bans large beach gatherings in coronavirus crackdown after hordes of young visitors flouted public health recommendations

  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday shut down bars and limited beach gatherings to 10 people
  • Miami Beach institutes curfew, closes beaches, and floods South Beach with cops to enforce bans
  • All weekend, hordes of young Spring Breakers had flouted public health recommendations
  • Large gatherings were spotted on Florida’s beaches as the rest of the nation shuts down 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

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The party’s over for Spring Breakers in Florida.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday ordered the shutdown of all bars in the state for at least 30 days, and limited beach gatherings to no more than 10 people.

DeSantis also restricted restaurant occupancy to 50 percent as part of the most aggressive actions by the state so far to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor left further beach restrictions up to local authorities, and Miami Beach officials responded with a total beach closure and 11pm curfew.

Miami Beach is seen left on Monday and right on Tuesday morning, after an order closing the beaches to Spring Breakers

South Beach is seen during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Miami Beach after an order closing the beaches

South Beach is seen during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Miami Beach after an order closing the beaches

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday ordered the shutdown of all bars in the state for at least 30 days, and limited beach gatherings to no more than 10 people

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday ordered the shutdown of all bars in the state for at least 30 days, and limited beach gatherings to no more than 10 people

The governor left further beach restrictions up to local authorities, and Miami Beach officials responded with a total beach closure and 11pm curfew

The governor left further beach restrictions up to local authorities, and Miami Beach officials responded with a total beach closure and 11pm curfew

Florida now reports 192 confirmed coronavirus cases and six deaths, a worrying trend in a state with many elderly retirees.

On Tuesday, Miami Beach issued an order closing all non-essential businesses, including restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and fitness studios. 

The most popular parts of the beach closed to the public from 4.30pm Saturday and are set to remain shut until March 19 with Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber declaring that spring break in Miami Beach is ‘over’ after a state of emergency was declared Thursday. 

Instead of returning home when the famed party strip was closed on Saturday afternoon many students continued the week of celebrations further down the coast on other parts of the beach. 

The Penguin Hotel restaurant is seen completely empty during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Miami Beach, Florida

The Penguin Hotel restaurant is seen completely empty during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Miami Beach, Florida

Spring Breakers looking for fun today found restaurants and bars in Miami Beach closed for business

Spring Breakers looking for fun today found restaurants and bars in Miami Beach closed for business

A security guard stands at the entrance to a city parking garage that the city closed to non-residents in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on Tuesday in Miami Beach, Florida

A security guard stands at the entrance to a city parking garage that the city closed to non-residents in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on Tuesday in Miami Beach, Florida

Miami Beach city officials closed the area of the beach that is popular with college spring breakers and asked them to refrain from large gatherings where COVID-19 could spread

Miami Beach city officials closed the area of the beach that is popular with college spring breakers and asked them to refrain from large gatherings where COVID-19 could spread

South Beach is seen rather empty during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Miami Beach

South Beach is seen rather empty during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Miami Beach

Despite warning signs at the entry of the beach advising against mass gatherings and urging beach goers to practice social distancing the crowds of students continued to pour in throughout Sunday. 

The Centers for Disease Control even greeted beachgoers with a floating billboard on Saturday which urged sunbathers to avoid contact with other people who are sick. 

In close physical proximity the crowds appeared to disregard the warnings put forward by the CDC.  

Meanwhile, millions of Americans were holed up at home, many thrown out of work until further notice as offices, stores and other businesses shut down. School was canceled for tens of millions of students, forcing parents to scramble for child care or find ways to entertain their children.

As recently as Monday, Spring Breakers had flocked to South Beach and flouted warnings from public health officials

As recently as Monday, Spring Breakers had flocked to South Beach and flouted warnings from public health officials

Spring Breakers are seen in South Beach before the beaches were shut down over coronavirus fears

Spring Breakers are seen in South Beach before the beaches were shut down over coronavirus fears

Hordes of Spring Breakers flocked to Miami this weekend before the shutdown was ordered

Hordes of Spring Breakers flocked to Miami this weekend before the shutdown was ordered

The young Spring Breakers seemed to have no regard for the health warnings of public officials

The young Spring Breakers seemed to have no regard for the health warnings of public officials

The rapid work stoppage had Americans fretting about their jobs and their savings, threatened to overwhelm unemployment benefit programs, and heightened fears the country could plunge into a recession.

Most people who come down with the disease have relatively mild symptoms, but it can be deadly for some, especially the elderly and those with underlying health problems. Most people infected with the virus recover in a matter of weeks.

Health officials say that ‘social distancing’ – encouraging people to avoid close contact with others – is a key to slow the spread of the virus and keep U.S. hospitals from being overwhelmed with a sudden deluge of patients. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk