MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County will reopen its beaches on Wednesday, Mayor Carlos Gimenez has announced.
The mayor has also lifted the county curfew, which had been in place for over a week amid the protests.
The county’s beaches were supposed to open June 1 for the first time since being shuttered during the coronavirus outbreak. But Gimenez postponed the reopening after the first weekend of protests, saying he didn’t want to open the beaches until the curfew was lifted.
Gimenez said the beaches were a potential gathering spot and that those needed to monitor safe social distancing on the beach were also tasked with maintaining the curfew.
“I think what they did was prudent,” one resident said of shutting the beaches. "I missed it — this is the reason I live here — but it’s OK.”
But the mayor took a good deal of blowback from people wondering why Miami-Dade’s beaches were some of the last to reopen in all of the country.
In particular, Wednesday can’t come soon enough for beach-depended businesses.
When the sands do reopen, beachgoers must follow social distancing and other safety measures that have been put in place.
Beach openings in #Miami Dade come with some detailed rules & regs for the sand & water, involving masks, social distancing & more. Here they are 👇🏼@WPLGLocal10 🏝⛱🌊🌞😷🌴 pic.twitter.com/yKzSapIgYi
— Glenna Milberg (@GlennaWPLG) June 8, 2020
Reopening plans for entertainment venues
As more businesses reopen in the county, entertainment facilities have been directed to submit their reopening plans to county leaders for approval.
This includes movie theaters, bowling alleys, auditoriums, indoor amusement facilities, casinos and other attractions.
“Due to the unique and specialized nature of entertainment venues and attractions, each venue must submit a proposed plan to the County detailing how they will incorporate the applicable guidelines included in this handbook,” a news release from the county stated. “They must follow both the general New Normal Guidelines, as well as those specific to their business, be it the rules for retail spaces, arts and cultural venues, restaurants, and/or pools.”
Each entertainment facility must include in their proposal specific details about how they will follow the “new normal” guidelines and how those rules will be enforced.
The submitted plans must not only focus on patrons, but also include details about protections taken for employees, “business process adaptations, employer-led public health interventions and industry-wide safeguards.”
“At a minimum, the plans must address the required elements of the respective set of guidelines,” the news release stated.
Each facility’s plans must be approved by the county and posted onsite prior to the business reopening.
The directive given to entertainment facilities comes as gyms and other wellness centers reopened on Monday.
Miami-Dade County remains in Phase 1 of its reopening timeline.
See Miami-Dade’s full “New Normal” reopening plan and guidelines below: