Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Revelers ring in new year – and a possible virus surge
Determined revelers clogged the streets of South Florida’s entertainment districts to ring in the new year Thursday night. And quite possibly start the first crush of coronavirus cases in 2021.
On Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, it almost seemed as if there was no pandemic. Tin Roof, Honey and Bull Bar all were packed — with few people wearing masks — about an hour before midnight. Some places had lines to get inside.
Sisters Cristina and Michelle, who didn’t want to give their full names, were walking on Atlantic Avenue. The two said this was the first time they’d seen each other all year; Cristina lives in Martin County and Michelle lives in New York.
“We’ve got to be normal; we can’t just stop life,” said Cristina, 35. “I think it’s inevitable. The virus is going to hit everyone at some point.”
Michelle, 42, said people were less responsible in Florida than in New York, where everyone wears masks in the street.
“I’m protecting myself, taking my precautions. I’m wearing my mask,” Michelle said. “It’s been a depressing year; we still need to go out and fun.”
The sisters said they decided not to drink in the bars so they wouldn’t have to remove their masks.
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.
This time, the city implemented a curfew from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. A city spokeswoman said they hope people comply voluntarily but added that citations are an option for those who violate the curfew.
Fort Lauderdale threw a virtual holiday this year, complete with fireworks, live music and the city’s famous anchor drop that residents could enjoy online without leaving their home.
On Las Olas Boulevard, bars and
restaurants were hopping.
A fireworks display planned on Miami Beach was canceled because of high winds. The blustery weather is expected to continue through Sunday, with winds of 13 to 15 mph and gusts of about 20 mph.
Because of the pandemic, revelers contended with a holiday curfew in Broward County from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., meant to limit the hours people can congregate in bars and nightclubs and spread the virus.
Florida set a new record Thursday for COVID-19 cases reported on a single day, ending the year with the highest one-day tally ever for the disease that’s upended life in the state.
Sun Sentinel staff writers Susannah Bryan and Wells Dusenbury contributed to this report.