Miami-Dade, Broward counties reopen public spaces with restrictions

Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida will reopen some public spaces with safety precautions Wednesday, their mayors announced.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez (R) announced Monday that parks, golf courses and marinas would reopen in the county Wednesday, WSVN reported.

“Let me stress that the openings happening this Wednesday are not business as usual,” Gimenez said. “This is a new normal because you will have to do things a little bit differently to enjoy the outdoors. If people do not abide by the rules, they will be escorted out.”

The county has hired about 400 people to ensure that social distancing is followed, Gimenez said.

“The facilities will be used in limited ways that require everyone to take personal responsibility and act as if they had the coronavirus,” he added.

Miami-Dade police said they will enforce social distancing if necessary.

“Our department has a zero tolerance policy that we will be taking into effect,” Miami-Dade police detective Angel Rodriguez told WSVN. “Anywhere from educating, all the way up to fines, and depending on the circumstances, could even result in an arrest.”

Broward County Mayor Dale Holness (D) similarly announced the limited reopening of some outdoor areas, but said all beaches in the county will remain closed and the use of spaces such as picnic tabes, chairs, playgrounds, pools and campgrounds in public parks will remain prohibited.

“We’re going to open our recreational facilities, golf courses, boat ramps, marinas,” Holness said. “Social distancing must be observed at all times.”

City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R), who has himself recovered from the virus, said the city is not prepared to reopen public spaces. When it is, he said, “we are going to be cautious … our parks, our beach, which is Virginia Key, and marinas with strict adherence of social distancing of six feet or more.”

Florida’s total cases of the virus have surpassed 32,000, with 1,088 deaths.