MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Miami Beach officials are extending an emergency 8 p.m. curfew for at least another week.
Sunday's decision by city commissioners comes after days of intense partying, where unruly crowds gathered by the thousands on South Beach, fighting in the streets, destroying property and ignoring mask and other COVID-19 orders.
The nightly curfews go from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Tourists are being encouraged to stay inside their hotels and pedestrians or vehicles are not allowed to enter the restricted area after 8 p.m.
According to CBS Miami, while residents were exempt from the causeway shutdowns that coincided with the curfew, many complained they spent hours stuck in traffic after the bridges were closed.
SWAT officers in bulletproof vests dispersed pepper spray balls to break up defiant crowds.
Miami Beach Police say more than 1,000 people have been arrested this month. CBS Miami reports City Manager Raul Aguila said more than half of those arrests are people from out of state. He also said people are coming "to engage in lawlessness and an 'anything goes' party attitude," according to the news outlet.
Aguila also noted the crowds were simply gathering in the streets by the thousands and not eating at restaurants or shopping at local businesses, which generates much-needed tourism dollars, CBS Miami said.
The police chief says Miami partying "couldn't go on any longer."
- Tampa Greyhound vaccine site had more than 1,000 vaccines leftover at end of day Saturday
- 'It's a tragedy:' 2 Pasco County deputies shoot man who fired upon them, sheriff says
- Miami Beach declares emergency curfew over 'out of control' spring break crowds
- Study: 3 feet of distance in a classroom could be enough to limit the spread of COVID-19
- Social media 'influencers' paid thousands of Florida taxpayers' money to promote virtual vacations
►Breaking news and weather alerts: Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter