Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach have ordered all hotels, motels and short-term rentals to begin immediately shutting down and vacate their guests, with full-closure by 11:59 PM on Monday, March 23. The announcement comes as Miami’s next step in curbing the spread of COVID-19 which has now surpassed 560 cases in Florida and over 123 in Miami-Dade. The move also comes to help dissipate the spring break crowds, many of whom have written off any care of the virus and are in Miami “to party.”

“Our hotels have always been the lifeblood of our economy, so shuttering them is not something to do impulsively. But right now, as painful as it may be, the reality is we just cannot be a tourist destination,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “Attracting visitors and tourists is just utterly incompatible with social distancing. For the many amazing operators and employees who are impacted, and the families that rely upon them, we are so sorry that you will feel this most acutely and we will advocate for whatever relief will be available at the state and federal level. These decisions were made collaboratively with County Mayor Gimenez, our City Manager Jimmy Morales and after input from all of our Miami Beach City Commissioners.”

The closures will apply to all hotels, motels, apartment-hotels, hostels, dormitories, and vacation and short-term rentals in Miami-Dade County. Miami Beach will also enforce a curfew from 12 A.M. to 5 A.M. Acqualina Resort in Sunny Isles Beach and Coral Gables’ historic Biltmore Hotel both closed in advance of the announcement as reports of layoffs in the hotel and hospitality industry continue to grow. Last week Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez issued an executive order to shut down all non-essential business’ including restaurants, retail stores, nightclubs, casinos, gyms, public parks and beaches.