What to Know
- Miami-Dade is expecting to partially reopen the county's economy on May 18
- The plans would allow retailers, restaurants and personal care businesses such as barber shops and salons to reopen
- The reopening would be in conjunction with the reopening of Broward County
Leaders in Miami-Dade are preparing plans for the partial reopening of the county's economy next week from the coronavirus shutdown.
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Miami-Dade, along with still-closed Broward County, has been finishing preparations that would allow retailers, restaurants and personal care businesses such as barber shops and salons to reopen on Monday, about two months after they closed.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he wants the county to reopen Monday, but any plan would need approval from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In a statement Wednesday, Gimenez said the county's guide for reopening has been submitted to DeSantis for review.
"If Governor DeSantis approves our plan, certain non-essential businesses will be allowed to reopen with stringent capacity and safety rules in place," Gimenez said. "This planning was done in close consultation with medical and industry experts and government partners, and is laid out in detail in the guide."
Although most of the state reopened with restaurants and retail stores limited to 25% capacity, Miami-Dade's plan would allow 50% occupancy. Restaurants with outdoor seating would have to keep tables six feet apart.
To view Miami-Dade's complete reopening plan, click here.
The county's guide mandates a number of items from temperature checks, to wash stations, and paper menus.
The plan also calls for Broward and Miami-Dade beaches to remain closed, but several Broward commissioners said Tuesday that they would like them to also reopen Monday but only if Miami-Dade agrees. They said they want to avoid overcrowding caused by Miami-Dade residents flocking to Broward beaches.
Others said they would prefer the beaches remain closed for now, citing problems around Florida where visitors to reopened beaches have ignored social distancing restrictions. Naples, for example, reclosed its beaches Sunday because family groups were sitting too close together.
Cities could enact tighter restrictions than the county under the proposed plan.
City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and other mayors from throughout the county held a virtual news conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss their reopening plans.
Suarez said Miami was working with Miami Beach, Doral, Miami Gardens and Hialeah on a plan to partially reopen their cities on May 20, two days after the county.
Under the plan, marinas would open on May 14, retail businesses and some parks would open on May 20, and restaurants would open on May 27.
