Miami-Dade Beaches Likely To Remain Closed Tuesday

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade beaches are likely to remain closed Tuesday as protesters took to the streets for a third day around South Florida over the death of George Floyd.

"As long as the curfew is in effect, the beaches will be closed," Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez told reporters at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Gimenez imposed a countywide curfew late Saturday when a protest in downtown Miami turned violent. A Miami police officer suffered a broken hand and 17 police vehicles were damaged as protesters damaged some businesses, pelted police with rocks and set fire to several parked police vehicles. See also Miami-Area Beach Reopening Delayed By Violent Protest

Miami-Dade police said no arrests were made during Monday's protest in downtown Miami.

Aventura Mall closed at 2 p.m. Monday in response to a rumored protest. The mall will reopen Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Miami-Dade beaches, including beaches in the city of Miami Beach, had planned to reopen on Monday after being shut down since March to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

Gimenez insisted he was delaying the beach reopening because many of the same officers that were on duty during the protests were needed to make sure beachgoers practice social distancing and enforce the rules regarding beach use.

Hotels and swimming pools that had been shut down were permitted to reopen Monday in Miami-Dade County with social distancing requirements in effect.

Checkpoints into the Florida Keys were also removed Monday by Monroe County as the ban on tourists and leisure visitors was lifted.

Most parks and beaches are open in the Florida Keys, but require social distancing and other precautions.

Hotels and other lodging establishments are also open in the Florida Keys but are encouraged to limit occupancy to 50 percent capacity through June 15.

This article originally appeared on the Miami Patch