County set to impose rules
Broward businesses that don’t follow orders will face fines, closure
South Florida governments are cracking down on residents and businesses that are contributing to a alarming spread of the coronavirus by refusing to adopt well-known precautions.
Palm Beach County will require people to wear masks in stores, restaurants and other public places beginning Thursday morning. Violators can be fined $250 for the first violation and $500 for each additional violation.
In Broward County, businesses ignoring mask and social distancing orders will be shut down beginning Friday and fined up to $15,000 for repeat violations.
Both moves aim to tame a virus that has spiked dramatically for a month, since lockdowns ended and people began to socialize again.
Florida reported a record 5,511 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, with 109,014 people infected since the pandemic began.
“If this continues, we’ll overrun our hospital system,” said Broward Mayor Dale Holness. “We must do everything we can to protect ourselves and stay healthy.”
Palm Beach County became the last in South Florida to require masks. The county attorney late Wednesday was still reviewing an order outlining the requirements, but here are some details:
Facial coverings must be worn in public places indoors and outdoors where social distancing can’t be accomplished.
Plastic facial shields, without masks, are permitted.
There are exemptions for people with a medical condition such as asthma; people who are exercising and still social distancing; while eating and drinking; and for children under age 2.
■ Violators can be fined $250 for the first violation and $500 for each additional violation. Unlike Miami-Dade and Broward counties, there is no mention of jail.
■ The draft ordinance does not include penalties for businesses that fail to comply, but they still must follow state orders.
“The county’s emphasis will be education, education,
education,” said Mayor Dave Kerner. “Wearing a mask is an act of kindness” to protect people around you, he said.
County commissioners said most people who emailed and called their offices supported their mask efforts before they were enacted Tuesday, but an angry and vocal crowd accused them of trying to regulate fresh air and limit individual freedoms. One woman hollered “Trump 2020” at them.
In Broward County, Sheriff Gregory Tony urged business owners to start following the rules, or else.
“Businesses must comply. We can’t afford to have this spread continue,” he said. “This is something we
will enforce. It is not law enforcement’s role or responsibility to shut down businesses. But the county has the authority. And we are obligated to make sure you’re in compliance.”
Businesses that break the rules will have 24 hours to come into compliance. Fines will start at $500 but increase to $15,000 for businesses that repeatedly fail to follow guidelines.
Bars and clubs must remain closed, and those pretending to operate as restaurants will be shut down if caught, Holness said.
Jimmy Sklavenitis, owner of the Greek Joint in downtown Hollywood, isn’t too worried about the countywide crackdown. But that’s because he follows the rules, he says.
“My servers are wearing masks all the time,” he said. “The bartenders won’t let people stand at the bar. You have to police it nonstop.”
Sklavenitis says he wasn’t surprised the county is threatening to shut down businesses that are ignoring the rules.
“They have to do it because the numbers are spiking,” he said. “I don’t blame them. These are unprecedented times.”
Holness urged residents to call the county’s 311 hotline to report restaurants and other businesses that allow big crowds or fail to require workers to wear masks while serving customers and clients.
The hotline has already gotten 891 complaints in 10 days, Holness said. Callers can remain anonymous.
This past weekend, Fort Lauderdale closed down nine restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard and State Road A1A for violating social distancing rules. The 24-hour shutdowns ended after the violations were corrected.
The countywide order comes with much steeper fines.
“We try not to use a stick, but we need one,” Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy said. “Sometimes people won’t listen until they realize this is dead serious. And it is.”
Hollywood Brewing Las Olas was one of the nine restaurants cited by Fort
Lauderdale over the weekend for having too many customers congregating at the bar.
On Wednesday, Manager Johnny Quinones was stunned to hear the restaurant could be fined up to $15,000 for repeat violations under the county’s new rules.
“People are trying to make a living — the cooks, the dishwashers, the bartenders,” he said. “People have to pay their bills. It’s a tough time for everyone. But we all need to wear the masks and do social distancing and keep moving forward. You have to follow the law.”
Staff Writer Marc Freeman contributed to this report.