Learn what are considered essential businesses in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. is NBC 6’s Marissa Bagg reports.
"Non-essential" businesses throughout Broward County have been ordered to close as the area has become the epicenter for the coronavirus pandemic in Florida.
The emergency order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday morning, according to Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness.
Essential businesses, like grocery stores, pharmacies, gas station, banks and medical offices will remain open.
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"Life as we know it has been adjusted, and we will need to adapt as we go forward," Holness said at news conference Sunday evening.
Officials announced Monday that all county parks - including regional, neighborhood and specialty parks; nature centers; and natural areas - will close starting 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. C.B. Smith Park will remain open as a COVID-19 testing site.
Broward County Transit also implemented measures for bus riders to practice social distancing. Starting Tuesday, fare collections will be temporarily suspended, and passengers will enter and exit the bus using only the rear doors, except for those who require a wheelchair.
Broward and Miami-Dade lead the state in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases.
As of Sunday evening, Florida's total number of confirmed cases rose to 1,007, including 937 Florida residents and 70 non-Florida residents.
Broward reached 217 cases and Miami-Dade reached 227 cases, the highest number of cases per county in the state.
