More than 150 revelers have been arrested over a wild Spring Break weekend as partyers descended on Miami despite Covid warnings from the mayor.
On Friday alone, 120 people on South Beach were seized as guns, drugs and cash were confiscated by police.
After the students partied throughout the day there were violent confrontations with police in the evening as officers had to use pepper balls to dispel the crowds throwing bottles at them.
More than 150 revelers have been arrested over a wild Spring Break weekend as partyers descended on Miami despite Covid warnings
After the students partied throughout the day there were violent confrontations with police in the evening as officers had to use pepper balls to dispel the crowds
Two officers were even injured and were treated in hospital after the unrest near the corner of 8th Street and Ocean Drive
Two officers were even injured and were treated in hospital after the unrest near the corner of 8th Street and Ocean Drive.
Ernesto Rodriguez of Miami Beach Police told Local10: 'The crowd ended up turning on those officers.'
Things quietened down somewhat on Saturday when a total of 30 people were arrested.
Amid the ugly scenes there are also fears that the maskless students gathering together could cause a spike in Florida's Covid cases.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said: 'We're seeing too much spring break activity.
'We've got a problem with too many people coming here. We've got a problem with too many people coming here to let loose.'
Officers seized crack cocaine, crystal meth, marijuana and cash in a bust on Friday night
Miami Beach cops also seized a number of guns, a balaclava and cartridges as Spring Break led to unrest on the streets
Amid the ugly scenes there are also fears that the maskless students gathering together could cause a spike in Florida's Covid cases
In recent weeks, swathes of students have flocked to packed bars and beaches and Governor Ron DeSantis has urged people to visit the state
Things quietened down somewhat on Saturday when a total of 30 people were arrested
CDC data shows a fifth of all US cases of the more highly contagious and more deadly B.1.1.7 strain first detected in the south of England have come from the Sunshine State.
In total, Florida has recorded 690 cases of the UK strain, dwarfing much of the rest of the US where 44 of all 50 states have recorded fewer than 100 cases.
The next highest state Michigan has 563 followed by Colorado with 267.
The prevalence of the new strain on US soil sparked fears of a fourth wave of the virus, just as the nation was getting back on its feet and states were reopening.
In recent weeks, swathes of students have flocked to packed bars and beaches and Governor Ron DeSantis has urged people to visit the state to get its economy back up and running.
Nearly 70 colleges and universities in the US have changed schedules to eliminate weeklong spring breaks
But Matthew Wellington, public health campaigns director for the nonprofit U.S. Public Interest Research Group, told The Orlando Sentinel: 'There’s definitely a concern that the spring breakers who are traveling to Florida might bring home more than just the souvenir shot glass this year.
'We know this virus thrives on people traveling.'
The CDC said: 'CDC recommends that people not travel at this time, and delay spring break travel until 2022.'
It also warned that people who have received a vaccine should still observe the regulations and not travel.
Nearly 70 colleges and universities in the US have changed schedules to eliminate weeklong spring breaks.
Some schools giving students a week off are encouraging 'staycations' on campus, but many are ignoring the advice.
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