Miami, Florida, officials will extend curfews and closings through April 12 owing to continued virus restrictions violations.
The extensions were imposed after police officers and their Special Weapons and Tactics teams were called out over this past weekend to break up unruly crowds of spring breakers violating the city's COVID-19 rules.
Officials unanimously voted to extend the curfews to prevent the chaos over the weekend from being repeated. Interim city manager Raul Aguila proposed the extension which was supported by all city commissioners.
Aguila said the move would "contain the overwhelming crowd of visitors and the potential for violence, disruption and damage to property."
Since the start of spring break earlier in March, thousands have descended on the city's South Beach. Days of partying led to confrontations between the police and crowds. The city imposed an emergency curfew from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. Restaurants and bars were closed early and stopped outdoor seating entirely.
Some groups became rowdy and caused damage to several restaurants and bars along the Miami Beach strip in protest. Officers wearing bulletproof vests and armed with crowd control weapons had to be dispatched to break up the crowds. A SWAT team was called.
Police dispatched a military-style vehicle down Ocean Drive to enforce the curfew. Tourists were also reminded to stay inside and observe the curfew.
Assistant chief of police at the Miami Beach police department Paul Acosta said several people had been arrested over the weekend and 50 in all since spring break began.
Acosta said traffic access to the city's three main causeways will remain closed until 5 a.m. Only residents or people going to work would be allowed to pass.
