Broward mayor says area mayors want to help restauranteurs extend hours of operation

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness said most mayors want to allow restaurants to stay open later to help business owners during the coronavirus pandemic.

Holness hosted a virtual conference with about 20 mayors in Broward County on Thursday. He said the mayors’ input is going to be considered by the staff including the administrator and attorney.

“We found out that at the onset that if we didn’t do it uniformly, we were going to have chaos,” Holness said. “The collaborative effort of putting the orders out and enforcement, it’s critical to have that same effort across Broward County.”

If approved, restauranteurs in Broward County would be able to welcome their last customers at about 9 p.m. and close at 11 p.m.

According to the Florida Department of Health’s data available on Thursday evening, 883 deaths in Broward County have been associated with COVID-19 and 64,741 have tested positive. Holness said the current hospital capacity is a reflection of the effectiveness of the preventive measures in Broward County.

Holness said epidemiologists have reported the coronavirus is still spreading within families. The demand for convalescent plasma continues, Holness said. He is asking donors to contact One Blood.

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About the Authors:

In January 2017, Hatzel Vela became the first local television journalist in the country to move to Cuba and cover the island from the inside. During his time living and working in Cuba, he covered some of the most significant stories in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba. 

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.