Miami Beach declares state of emergency over spring break
While coronavirus cases are trending downward overall as the vaccine rollout picks up speed, the threat of COVID-19 is still very real.
The city of Miami Beach on Saturday declared a state of emergency in an effort to control "larger than expected" spring break crowds. There's now an 8 p.m. curfew in South Beach’s entertainment district and most eastbound traffic to the city will be blocked.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
The curfew requires all restaurants, bars and businesses to close by 8 p.m. Shore-bound traffic on three causeways is being shuttered from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., with some exceptions for residents and hotel guests. The iconic Ocean Drive is being closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic starting at 8 p.m., except for residents, hotel guests and business employees. The emergency orders will be in effect through at least Wednesday evening.
"As we hit the peak of the peak of spring break, we are quite simply overwhelmed," city manager Raul Aguila said.
Mayor Dan Gelber blamed some of the crowding on cheap flights: "Last month you could get here from Philadelphia, New York, or Chicago for $50 round trip."
Videos shared on social media showed SWAT teams moving in to disperse crowds who stayed out past the curfew Saturday evening and even resorting to using pepper balls in some situations.
Related: Texas and Mississippi lift most COVID-19 restrictions
In addition to having a surge in visitors, Florida has also been the epicenter for the more-easily spread variant of COVID-19 that was first found in the U.K. The state surpassed 2 million coronavirus cases on Saturday. Meanwhile, states like Texas and Mississippi have recently lifted most COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
10X | Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site |
5X | Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas |
1X | Earn 1x points on all other purchases |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The revamped Wander Card from Credit One Bank earns cardmembers up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, the card is also great for international travel. However, points earned from this card can only be used at a fixed value, so it may not be the best option for those striving to get maximum value from their rewards.Pros
- This card has no foreign transaction fees and earns up to 10 points per dollar on travel purchases through the Credit One Bank travel partner site.
Cons
- While cardholders can earn a significant amount of points on travel purchases, there isn't any way to redeem points from the Wander Card for maximum value (beyond 1 cent per point).
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel
- Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
- Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases
- Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
- If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site |
5X | Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas |
1X | Earn 1x points on all other purchases |
Intro Offer
Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travelEarn 10,000 Bonus PointsAnnual Fee
$95Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Fair/Good
Why We Chose It
The revamped Wander Card from Credit One Bank earns cardmembers up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, the card is also great for international travel. However, points earned from this card can only be used at a fixed value, so it may not be the best option for those striving to get maximum value from their rewards.Pros
- This card has no foreign transaction fees and earns up to 10 points per dollar on travel purchases through the Credit One Bank travel partner site.
Cons
- While cardholders can earn a significant amount of points on travel purchases, there isn't any way to redeem points from the Wander Card for maximum value (beyond 1 cent per point).
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel
- Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
- Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases
- Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
- If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
- See Rates & Fees