The Keys have even more restrictions for lobster miniseason due to COVID-19 spike
Two more Florida Keys cities — Key West and Marathon — will limit access to public boat ramps during next week’s spiny lobster miniseason.
These are the latest new restrictions handed down for the popular upcoming event, set for July 29-30 across Florida.
The restrictions came as the Keys set a record Friday for new confirmed cases of COVID-19 by adding 84.
The Keys have 1,082 cases, six deaths and, on Friday, 20 hospitalizations, including 16 at the Lower Keys Medical Center.
In Key West, city officials decided to restrict several boat ramps from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday through 11:59 p.m. Thursday.
The one at Simonton Street is closed period. Another at Riviera Drive is reserved for locals only during miniseason.
At the Key West City Marina at Garrison Bight, 1801 N. Roosevelt Blvd., which is home to a fleet of charter fishing boats, only Key West residents and people with lodging contracts, such as a vacation rental contract or Key West hotel bill, may launch.
“We want to discourage masses of people from coming down,” said City Manager Greg Veliz, adding the decision came after Marathon announced its restrictions.
“We’re like, hey, you’re pushing people down here,” said Veliz, who signed the order Friday at 2:40 p.m. along with Key West Mayor Teri Johnston.
The city will post police officers at the boat ramps to enforce the rules, Veliz said.
Earlier Friday, Marathon’s city council, in a special meeting, voted 3-2 to close two of its three ramps from next Tuesday through Thursday.
The one on 33rd Street will remain open only to residents and lodging guests who have valid paperwork to show.
But the ramps off mile marker 54 and off Aviation Boulevard and Harbor Drive will be closed for those three days.
The ramp off mile marker 54 fills up regularly and can create a dangerous situation, said Marathon City Councilman Mark Senmartin, who made the motion to limit boat ramp access during miniseason.
“Yes, it was about COVID but also about general safety,” said Senmartin, who lives in the neighborhood.
“There are private boat ramps,” Senmartin said. “They’re all around town, starting up in Long Key, Grassy Key, the north end of town near the Quay ramp. They’re 20 bucks. It’s not stopping people completely, but it’s definitely making a difference in safety for our residents.”
Also starting Friday through Aug. 19, restaurants must be closed by 11 p.m. and can’t reopen until 5 a.m.
And all alcohol sales in the Keys will stop from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
The restaurant closure means customers must be out by 11 p.m.
“Anyone who is not an employee will need to be paid and be walking out at or by 11 p.m.,” said county spokeswoman Kristen Livengood.
“This was done to allow restaurants to have time for a last seating for dinner around 10 p.m., which is common in the Florida Keys, but prevent congregating after 11 p.m.,” Livengood said.
If you’re going to the Keys, bring your face coverings: It’s now the law.
Monroe County and the city of Key West instituted special ordinances concerning face coverings.
Across the Keys, the law is to always carry a mask with you in public and wear it whenever you cannot stay at least 6 feet away from others.
In the Southernmost City, which on Friday had by far the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Keys at 472, masks are required to be worn in public whether or not you can socially distance.
There are a few exceptions, such as musicians may perform without masks as long as they have a plexiglass board between them and the audience. But the law means masks must be worn while working out at a gym or exercising outdoors.
Islamorada’s rules amid COVID-19
In the village of Islamorada, a popular spot for day trippers from the mainland, elected officials a week ago shut down beaches, parks and boat ramps from July 24 through Aug. 19.
This means:
All of its public beaches, including the popular “Fills” from mile marker 77.5 to 78.8, will be closed.
No cars, picnicking, tents, chairs or other items will be allowed on the often-crowded roadside beaches.
Anne’s Beach and Library Beach will also be closed to the public.
Public boat ramps on East Ridge Road, Blackwood Drive and the Indian Key Boat Ramp will also be closed.
The Islamorada Village Council voted unanimously weeks ago to ask the state to cancel mini-season, held the last Wednesday and Thursday of every July since the mid 1970s.
But the effort didn’t get far.
The Monroe County Commission this week voted down a proposal to ask the state to cancel miniseason.
But even Commissioner Sylvia Murphy, who made the motion and was the only supporter, said it was too late to stop the state’s event.
More restrictions announced in Florida Keys as COVID-19 cases rise
