Broward and Monroe Counties Announce Beach Closures for July 4th

Broward and Monroe Counties have joined Miami-Dade in closing its beaches for the fourth of July weekend.

Fort Lauderdale Dean Trantalis confirmed Sunday afternoon that beaches in his city would be closed for the weekend and Broward County officials also announced that all public beaches in the county will be closed from 12:01 AM on Friday, July 3, through 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 5. 

On Monday, Monroe County announced that all county-owned parks and beaches will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday and will reopen at normal operating hours on Tuesday, July 7.

The announcement follows that of Mayor Carlos Gimenez's, which stated that Miami-Dade County beaches will be closed from July 3 to 7.

Palm Beach County is also expected to announce the closure of its beaches today. “I think if Dade County closes their beaches and Broward County closes their beaches and everyone goes to Palm Beach County, it’s going to be a disaster,” said Mayor Trantalis.

The planned beach closures come after Florida recorded a record-breaking week of COVID-19 cases. The spike has led to some counties issuing harsher penalties for non-compliance.