Broward County Emergency Orders

It is important for residents and businesses to understand the role they play in reducing the alarming COVID statistics, by following reopening guidelines and requirements for social distancing and wearing facial coverings.

To help residents understand the magnitude of the pandemic in our community, Broward County is posts a daily statistical dashboard of COVID-19 indicators (e.g. number of cases, positivity rates, hospitalizations, hospital capacities, and deaths).
 
Broward County has also issued Emergency Order 20-24, which implements restrictions to help curtail large social gatherings, including house parties, street parties and other activities that are contributing to community spread of the virus:

• Prohibition on Open Containers: Between the hours of 11pm and 5am, no person may consume any alcoholic beverage in or on any area available for use by the public, including parking areas, pedestrian areas, beaches, etc.
  
• Private Gatherings: Private gatherings at a residential property, single-family or otherwise, indoors and/or outdoors, are limited to no more than 10 individuals. Persons present at such gatherings shall be individually liable for violations of this Order and subject to civil and criminal penalties. The owner(s) of the residential property are also liable for violations that occur on their property, whether or not they are in residence or on site at the time of the violation. Residents of any private residential property, whether they own or rent, must ensure all persons on their property comply with the guidelines, subject to civil and criminal penalties.

• Restaurant Operations –  On premise dining must be closed from 11pm - 5am.  Ordering food or beverage from a bar counter is strictly prohibited. Restaurant patrons must order and consume food and drinks at a table, following all other requirements as outlined in previously issued operating guidelines.

• Signage Requirements Owners, operators and landlords of commercial property at which any retail, restaurant or food establishment is located must ensure compliance by those establishments with the signage requirements of Emergency Order 20-17, and must also ensure the required signage is conspicuously posted in common areas of the property such as mall entrances, food courts and hallways.  
  

Individuals in our community have a personal responsibility to adhere to the guidelines and do their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The new Order strongly recommends that any person who tests positive for COVID-19, or who is experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, immediately:

• self-isolate to the greatest extent possible and avoid contact with any other person

• avoid visiting establishments and amenities except when medically necessary

• avoid use of common areas such as shared kitchens, laundry rooms or recreational facilities, especially in shared housing or multi-housing developments 
  

Businesses in our community must adhere to the guidelines governing their operations, and patrons of reopened business are encouraged to report violations, which may result in warnings, citations, fines and/or business closures. For ongoing updates, visit www.Broward.org/Coronavirus.