Thousands of Spring Breakers in Florida have once again defied a state order to stop mass gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak as they partied on yachts at sea.
Government officials in Boca Raton on Sunday shared images of revelers drinking on several boats in the waters surrounding Peanut Island.
One image showed at least 15 boats gathered in one large spot in the middle of the water as passengers partied.
Shortly after the images emerged, city officials released a statement announcing the closure of the area.
Thousands of Spring Breakers in Florida have once again defied a state order to stop mass gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak as they partied on yachts at sea (pictured)
Government officials in Boca Raton on Sunday shared images of revelers drinking on several boats in the waters surrounding Peanut Island
‘While Lake Boca Raton has always served as a social gathering spot for many boaters, and will again, now is not the time for parties and tie ups on the water,’ Boca Raton authorities said.
‘Please be patient, and do your part, so we can all get through this together.’
The statement reads: ‘Effective immediately, all boat ramps and marinas will be closed to all recreational boating activities to include boat launching, in/out storage activities, and boat rentals in Palm Beach County until further notice.’
Officials said that licensed commercial fishermen who provide food for restaurants and markets, commercial marine operations, and support services are permitted to operate in the area.
‘While many take this seriously, some do not, and are putting others in jeopardy, including our first responders and healthcare workers,’ officials said in the statement.
One image (above) showed at least 15 boats gathered in one large spot in the middle of the water as passengers partied. Shortly after the images emerged, city officials released a statement announcing the closure of the area
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will be enforcing the closures and monitoring waterways.
Current guidelines call for gatherings to be limited to groups of 10 or fewer with social distancing of six feet apart.
These actions are necessary to slow the community spread of COVID-19.
Despite the pleas for local and federal government for young people to stay inside as the battle against COVID-19 continues, many have ignored those orders and flocked to Florida beaches instead.
Thousands of Spring Breakers were seen flocking to Miami’s South Beach and Clearwater Beach within the past two weeks.
There are more than 35,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States, with 471 deaths
Local officials in Clearwater Beach voted to close the area by Monday.
Beaches in Naples and in other communities in southwest Florida have also been closed.
Officials have warned about the importance of young people heeding the government’s orders because the coronavirus not only affects the elderly and vulnerable but ‘young healthy adults, teenagers & children’ can also get the virus.
It’s also important to note that the virus can be transmitted by those who don’t even have symptoms.
Over the weekend it was revealed that five students at the University of Tampa tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling for their spring break, school officials said.
College students across the nation disregarded warnings to social distance and remain at home in light of the coronavirus pandemic
A skateboarder passes a ‘Beach Closed’ sign on the boardwalk on Sunday in Miami Beach, Florida. The city of Miami Beach has closed all parks and beaches due to COVID-19, however the boardwalk is open for people to exercise
The college students were traveling together with other UT students, but the school has not specified where they went during their break.
On Friday the University posted that initially one student test positive. Then on Saturday four more students who traveled together for break tested positive.
Three of those students returned to campus after their spring break travels.
Those students are now self-isolating and have not been hospitalized. It’s not clear if those pupils live on or off campus.
In Florida, there are more than 1,200 confirmed coronavirus cases with at least 13 deaths.
There are more than 35,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States, with 471 deaths.
Globally, there are more than 350,000 cases with more than 15,000 deaths.