MIAMI-DADE COUNTY EMERGENCY ORDER 12-20

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 social 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;

WHEREAS, numerous counties, municipalities, and states have adopted versions of “stay at home” orders designed to protect the health and well-being of residents, to create social distancing in an effort to limit the community spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the residents of our community for all local governments in Miami-Dade County to work cooperatively to successfully protect our residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, on March 26, 2020 representatives of the Miami-Dade League of Cities and Miami-Dade County discussed ways to best coordinate emergency measures; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Order 1-20 closed community centers and congregate living facilities; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Orders 05-20, 6-20, and 8-20 closed parks, beaches, marinas and recreational facilities, and limited the operation of common use scooters, moped, motorized bicycles, and other micromobility device; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Order 7-20 closed non-essential commercial and retail businesses; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Order 09-20, as amended, prohibit hotels, motels and short-term rentals from excepting guests beyond Essential Lodgers; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Order 10-20 limited groups of 10 or more people on public streets, alleys, public ways, and sidewalks; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Order 11-20 urged individuals over the age of 65, or those with underlying medical conditions which put them at high risk are urged to stay home; and

WHEREAS, the County has repeatedly urged residents and businesses to observe the CDC social distancing guidelines in their activities; and

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

1. The totality of Emergency Orders issued by Miami-Dade County, as may be amended or issued from time to time, shall be referred to as the SAFER AT HOME protocols.
2. All residents and visitors are urged to remain in their homes other than to engage in essential activities, as allowed through previous Emergency Orders.
3. The provisions of this order shall serve as minimum standards. Municipalities may impose more stringent standards within their jurisdictions.
4. This order shall be effective immediately.
5. 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.
6. 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.