MIAMI-DADE COUNTY EMERGENCY ORDER 07-20

Canceled per Emergency Order 24-20

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 6 foot separation between residents to slow the spread of infection and that events with more than ten attendees either be cancelled or held virtually; and

WHEREAS, the CDC guidelines are based upon the amount of community spread within a community and become more stringent where there is minimal to moderate or substantial community spread; and

WHEREAS, section 8B-7(2)(f) of the Code authorizes the County Mayor to order the closure of any commercial establishment; and

WHEREAS, sections 8B-7(2)(e) and (o) of the 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. All non-essential retail and commercial establishments are ordered closed.

2. Essential retail and commercial businesses, which may remain open, are:

• Healthcare providers, including, but not limited to, hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, urgent care centers, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapists, mental health professionals, psychiatrists, therapists, and pharmacies;
• Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This authorization includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences;
• Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
• Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
• Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
• Banks and related financial institutions;
• Hardware stores;
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other structures;
• Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
• Private colleges, trade schools, and technical colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning;
• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
• Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but subject to the limitations and requirements of Emergency Order 3-20. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
• Businesses that supply office products needed for people to work from home;
• Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate, and which do not interact with the general public;
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods, or services directly to residences;
• Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services via automobile, truck, bus, or train;
• Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and adult day care centers, and senior residential facilities;
• Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care services;
• Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities should operate under the following mandatory conditions:
  • Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 10 or fewer (inclusive ofchildcare providers for the group).
  • Children and child care providers shall not change from one group to another.
  • If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix or interact with each other.
• Businesses operating at any airport, seaport, or other government facility, including parks and government offices;
• Pet supply stores;
• Logistics providers, including warehouses, trucking, consolidators, fumigators, and handlers;
• Telecommunications providers, including sales of computer or telecommunications devices and the provision of home telecommunications;
• Provision of propane or natural gas;
• Office space and administrative support necessary to perform any of the above-listed activities;
• Open construction sites, irrespective of the type of building;
• Architectural, engineering, or land surveying services;
• Factories, manufacturing facilities, bottling plants, or other industrial uses;
• Waste management services, including collection and disposal of waste; and
• Any business that is interacting with customers solely through electronic or telephonic means, and delivering products via mailing, shipping, or delivery services

3. This order does not affect or limit the operations of Miami-Dade County, any public utility, any municipality, the Miami-Dade County School District, or any State or Federal office or facility, except that such entities shall abide by the restrictions of any County, Municipal, State or Federal emergency order, as applicable.

4. This order does not limit the number of persons who may be physically present performing services at any location where an essential business is being conducted except as expressly set forth herein or otherwise governed by any State or Federal order or regulation. Employers and employees are urged, but are not required, to practice social distancing, such as keeping six feet between persons and limiting group size to less than ten people. 

5. This order does not limit the number of persons who may be physically present at any religious service. Persons attending religious services are urged, but are not required, to practice social distancing, such as keeping six feet between persons and limiting group size to less than ten people. 

6. The County Mayor may amend the provisions of paragraph 2, 3, and 4 by written notice to the County Clerk.

7. The provisions of this order shall serve as minimum standards. Municipalities may impose more stringent standards within their jurisdictions.

8. 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.

9. This order shall be effective as of 9:00 p.m., March 19, 2020.

10. 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.