Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Broward now lets people eat at restaurants until 11
Broward County now is allowing restaurants to stay open an hour later each night, letting people enjoy dinner on the premises until 11 p.m.
The order, which took effect Friday, relaxes restrictions put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.
The adjusted hours are the latest adjustment in the ever-changing restrictions faced by South Florida restaurants, as local governments make changes to the rules based on the latest infection statistics.
The spread of COVID-19 has eased in Florida, with the statewide rate for new infections dipping to its lowest point within the past two months, the latest figures show. Those figures are a key reason Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday said he’s considering moving the region to a Phase 2 reopening, following the April shutdown.
In Miami-Dade County, indoor dining is not allowed. In Palm Beach County, restaurants cannot serve food or alcohol and have to be empty — aside from closing and cleaning staff — at 11 p.m. There cannot be indoor or outdoor seating from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The rules in Broward for restaurants had initially required they shut down for on-site dining from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Under the new rules, restaurants still can continue to operate for takeout, drive-thru and delivery services.
Broward Mayor Dale Holness warned Friday that code enforcement will make sure the rules are followed to curtail parties. The new order prohibits open alcohol containers in public areas such as the street, beach boardwalks, beaches, parks and parking lots.
“We found people are gathering after people are buying alcohol from the restaurants,” he said. “They are gathering in groups and not practicing social distancing and not wearing facial coverings… It’s widespread enough for us to take this action.”