Curfew

Thousands of people have descended on South Florida beaches for the same reasons as any other spring break — the weather, water, and two-for-one drinks specials. But there's one major difference — the ongoing pandemic.

The new curfew in Miami Beach will last a few weeks from Thursday evenings to Monday mornings to keep people out of what’s called the entertainment district. Officials say it helps boost public safety, but businesses say they’re grappling with financial losses.

The curfew will be in effect Thursdays through Sundays from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through April 12th.

After weeks of uninhibited partying on South Beach by spring breakers, Miami Beach police turned away throngs of people — many of them Black and brown — from world-famous Ocean Drive Saturday night using a SWAT truck, pepper balls and sound cannons.

Hurricane Irma impacted the entire Tampa Bay area. WUSF has reporters spread out across the region. This county-by-county breakdown will be updated…