Our North America correspondent Peter Bows reports party time in Miami spring break When students traditionally descend on Florida to let off steam, the bars, beaches and restaurants are packed.

But this is no time to party.

The city of Miami Beach is currently under a state of emergency.

These extraordinary scenes have shocked local officials, who say they've been overwhelmed by the number of revelers.

There's little sign of social distancing and few people wearing masks.

Fights have broken out and businesses have been forced to close down.

At one point, the police shot pepper balls into the crowd, urging people to leave after an eight PM curfew came into effect.

I think it is a good idea, even though it's fun out here like we want to be out here and have fun.

No one's doing anything.

People are just out here enjoying the beach.

And it's a good vibe.

They want to shut it down at eight o'clock, people will go somewhere else and take their money somewhere else.

And it is what it is.

But people gonna live Peronnas over Winter's over.

Get the vaccine, get back to business.

Everyone worried because of covid.

I mean, I'm not really worried about that.

You know what I'm saying?

Like, you know, you just got to be cautious, that's all.

You know what I'm saying?

It's no guarantees with the covid thing.

You know what I'm saying?

You can get the covid from your neighborhood, your block, your building.

You know what I'm saying?

So it don't matter you out somewhere else?

Like we're chilling.

Yeah.

Florida is one of the few US states now fully open during the pandemic.

Last month, the Republican Governor, Rhonda Santis, declared the state and oasis of freedom from coronavirus restrictions.

Tourists have descended on the area in large numbers over the past few weeks.

I have the vaccine, so I don't care.

Go home.

I get tested for myself.

I don't really care, but I wouldn't want to go in there and stick, you know, officials have blamed adults rather than college students, for much of the chaos.

The state of emergency and nighttime curfew has now been extended for up to three weeks.

Many people are coming here right now, and too many people are coming here with bad intentions.

Last week, Florida recorded more than 4000 New Covid 19 infections a day.

This is a crisis that's far from over.

Peter bows BBC News, Los Angeles.