Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
If you’re ringing in the New Year in Delray Beach, you’ll still be able to party, but you’ll have to clear out earlier than usual.
If you’re ringing in the New Year in Delray Beach, you’ll still be able to party, but you’ ll have to clear out earlier than usual.
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Delray Beach has implemented a New Year’s curfew from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m on Jan. 1. A city spokeswoman said they hope people comply voluntarily but added that citations are an option for those who violate the curfew.
Lined with dozens of restaurants and bars, Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue is one of the county’s most popular nightlife destinations. Traditionally, bars were allowed to stay open until 4 a.m. on New Year’s.
Gary Rack, who owns Rack’s Fish House + Oyster Bar and Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen, said he was fine by the decision, adding that his properties have already booked their dining capacity for the night and that the two-hour cutoff wouldn’t make much of a difference.
Delray Beach is believed to be the only major city in Palm Beach County with a New Year’s curfew. The Town of Palm Beach implemented a curfew on Dec. 15 that runs from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Palm Beach County has refrained from enacting a curfew, leaving the issue to individual cities. Broward County currently has a midnight curfew, which went into effect on Christmas Day and ends on Jan. 4. However, on New Year’s the curfew will run from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said the people who violate the cur few could face fines starting at $100. Whether cities will enforce the curfew is another issue, though. Citing court rulings, Fort Lauderdale is one of the cities that said it won’t enforce the curfew.