What counties are rolling back reopening? Here are the rules in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe
With an increase in coronavirus cases across the state, particularly in South Florida, local governments are retracting some of the area’s reopenings such as restaurants and gyms.
With the county having the highest rate of COVID-19 positive cases, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez signed a new emergency order Monday that was supposed be effective starting Wednesday. Gimenez, however, amended the order Tuesday, and now the rules go into effect Thursday. A few categories had only been open for a few weeks and are now being closed again to slow the spread of the virus.
“We want to ensure that our hospitals continue to have the staffing necessary to save lives,” Gimenez wrote.
Miami-Dade is under a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. countywide curfew except for essential workers and people with religious obligations. Broward and Monroe counties do not have a curfew.
Mask requirements are also tighter in South Florida, with Miami-Dade requiring masks outside at all times.
“We can tamp down the spread if everyone follows the rules, wears masks and stays at least six feet apart from others,” Gimenez wrote. “I am counting on you, our 2.8 million residents, to stop the spread so that we can get back to opening our economy.”
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Restaurants and bars
Starting Thursday in Miami-Dade, restaurants must close all inside dining. Outside dining with tables limited to four patrons, takeout and delivery services will be allowed.
Bars were not allowed to open, but that brought a rush to bars inside restaurants.
In Broward County, alcohol sales in restaurants and bars have to stop from midnight to 5 a.m. and restaurants have to stop serving food in that same time frame. Delivery, drive-through and pickup are still available.
Bars in the county are closed.
Leaders are considering following Miami-Dade and rolling back some reopenings.
Monroe County restaurants and bars can operate at 50% seating occupancy.
Beaches and pools
Miami-Dade and Monroe beaches reopened Tuesday after being closed for the Fourth of July weekend. Both have social distancing and mask requirements.
“If we see crowding and people not following the public health rules, I will be forced to close the beaches again,” Gimenez wrote.
Broward County beaches reopened Monday. Although they were closed for the holiday weekend, protesters defied the shutdown, saying they had a right to celebrate Independence Day on the beaches.
Hotel and condominium pools in all three counties can stay open with strict social distancing and mask rules.
Hotels
Hotels and motels in all three counties are open. Pools and shared spaces are under social distance and capacity requirements.
However, short-term rentals such as Airbnbs, in Miami-Dade County will have more stringent rules beginning Thursday. Daytime and overnight occupancy for short-term vacation rentals is now set at a maximum of two people per bedroom, with no property exceeding a maximum of 10 people. New rental agreements can only be on a monthly basis.
Gyms
Miami-Dade County gyms were supposed to be closed Wednesday under an executive order, but Gimenez reversed course on Tuesday morning.
Gyms and fitness centers will stay open. Gym-goers must wear a mask or do strenuous training outside with 10 feet of distance.
I had a very productive virtual meeting just now with our medical experts and the County’s Wellness Group. We arrived at a compromise to keep gyms & fitness studios open. All doing activities inside must wear a mask or do strenuous training outside staying 10 feet apart w/outmask
— Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez (@MayorGimenez) July 7, 2020
Broward and Monroe gyms remain open with social distancing and other safety regulations.
Stores and Offices
Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe office buildings, retail stores and grooming services remain open.
Entertainment venues
Miami-Dade closed strip clubs, movie theaters, arcades and casinos except the Miccosukee on July 2.
Casinos, arcades, bowling alleys and movie theaters in Broward are open with distance and safety regulations.
Movie theaters, concert halls, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades in Monroe remain open at 50% capacity with sanitation and social distancing.
