MIAMI-DADE COUNTY EMERGENCY ORDER 10-20

WHEREAS, Section 252.38(3)(a), Florida Statutes, gives political subdivisions the authority to declare and enact a State of Local Emergency for a period of up to seven days, thereby waiving the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivision by law; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the Governor of Florida issued Executive Order Number 20-51, directing the State Health Officer and Surgeon General to declare a Public Health Emergency due to the discovery of COVID-19/novel Coronavirus in Florida; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Governor of Florida issued Executive Order Number 20-52, declaring a State of Emergency for the state of Florida related to COVID-19/novel Coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, the County Mayor declared a State of Emergency for all of Miami-Dade County; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19/novel Coronavirus poses a health risk to Miami-Dade County residents, particularly elderly residents and those who are immunosuppressed or otherwise have high-risk medical conditions; and

WHEREAS, minimization of contact is necessary to avoid risk of COVID-19 infection for the residents of the County; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidance entitled “15 Days to Slow the Spread,” encouraging social distancing and maintaining a six foot separation between residents to slow the spread of infection and that events with more than 10 attendees either be cancelled or held virtually; and

WHEREAS, individuals continue to congregate in Miami-Dade County on public streets and sidewalks in groups of more than 10, which places residents at risk, and prolongs the need for emergency responses and business closures; and

WHEREAS, essential retail and commercial establishments are expected to manage patrons on their premises consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines, but some are not; and

WHEREAS, section 8B-7(2)(k) of the County Code authorizes the County Mayor to issue an order closing to the public any or all public places including, streets, alleys, public ways, parks, beaches, amusement areas and public buildings; and

WHEREAS, sections 8B-7(2)(e) and (o) of the County Code authorize the County Mayor to limit the movement of persons inside Miami-Dade County in order to safeguard life and health,

THEREFORE, as County Mayor of Miami-Dade County, I hereby order:

1. No group of 10 or more individuals shall gather on a public street, alley, public way, sidewalk, or government facility open to the public in Miami-Dade County.
2. The limitation in paragraph 1 does not apply to: (1) federal, state, or local government employees, or contractors acting on the behalf of such entities, who are providing services in any public street, alley, sidewalk, or public way which require the presence of a group of ten or more individuals, (2) any roadways interior to PortMiami or any airport, (3) individuals traveling by car, bus, truck, train, automated people mover, mass transit, or other powered vehicle, or which waiting at any bus stop, Metromover, or Metrorail station, and (4) individuals responding to an emergency.
3. Essential commercial and retail establishments as defined in Emergency Order 07-20, as amended, should continue to observe the CDC social distancing guidelines, which currently recommends keeping six feet between persons in such establishment. Any commercial or retail establishment which is unable to consistently observe the CDC social distancing guidelines shall be subject to closure by way of subsequent order.
4. Individuals are urged to remain home other than to engage in essential activities which include, without limitation, travel to or from essential retailed and commercial businesses as defined in Emergency Order 07-20. Individuals outside their homes shall comply with paragraph 1 of this Order and should attempt to observe the CDC social distancing guidelines.
5. The provisions of this order shall serve as minimum standards. Municipalities may impose more stringent standards within their jurisdictions.
6. This order shall expire upon the expiration of the existing Miami-Dade County State of Local Emergency, except that if such State of Local Emergency is extended, this order shall also be deemed to extend for the duration of such extension. This order may be cancelled earlier by action of the County Mayor.
7. This order shall be effective immediately.
8. This order shall be provided to all appropriate media consistent with the requirements of section 8B-7(2)(n) of the Code of Miami-Dade County.