Islamorada shutting down popular outdoor gathering spots for Fourth of July weekend
Following the lead of Monroe County and the city of Key West, the Village of Islamorada will close its beaches, parks and boat ramps to the public over the Fourth of July weekend.
The shutdown includes the “Fills” area near Indian Key, which is a popular destination for Miami-Dade County residents who enjoy picnicking, barbecuing, swimming and boating there.
The village announced Tuesday that the entire area, from mile marker 77.5 to 79.8, will be off limits to parking, tents, chairs and other items starting Wednesday.
This will be welcome news to many village residents who are often left to clean up the mess left on the roadside beaches following busy weekends.
The public boat ramps in the Fills will also be closed, according to the village.
The rest of the beaches in the village, and countywide, are scheduled to close at 5 p.m. Thursday. They includes Sombrero Beach and other beaches in the city of Marathon.
The move is aimed at limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus amid spiking cases since the Keys reopened to out-of-county visitors June 1 after being closed since March 27.
In the 24-hour period from Monday to Tuesday, COVID-19 cases in the Keys increased by 23, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Monroe County now has a total of 259 confirmed cases. Deaths and hospitalizations, meanwhile, remain low compared to neighboring counties Miami-Dade and Broward.
Four people have died in the Keys from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to the health department.
Beaches in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will also be closed over the July 4 weekend.
Along with the Fills, Islamorada is also closing its beach at Founders Park, on the bay side of U.S. 1 at mile marker 87.
The boat ramp there will only be open to village residents, who must present identification showing they live in Islamorada, according to the village.
Islamorada is expected to reopen the amenities to the public next Tuesday.
The Keyswide beach closures join other steps taken by government and community leaders to convey the message that the island chain is bascially closed for the holiday weekend.
Planned fireworks displays in Key Largo and Key West are canceled. The city of Marathon is holding an online meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday to discuss its planned fireworks show.
Tourist magnet Duval Street in Key West will be closed to vehicle traffic, and city officials are shutting down Mallory Square.
All stand-alone bars throughout the Keys are closed, and restaurants are limited to 50 percent capacity.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Islamorada shutting down popular outdoor gathering spots for Fourth of July weekend."
