Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Says They're Developing Three-Phase Plan For Reopening
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - While Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez appears ready to open some parts of the county, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said they are approaching the idea with caution as they develop a three-phase plan.
Suarez said the city is working with the Department of Health. Their plan has been prepared in conjunction with the federal government's plan, with input from the Centers for Disease Control and FEMA.
In order for phase one of the plan to be implemented, three things would have to happen.
"The first is that there's a downward trajectory in symptoms, influenza-like symptoms, and a downward trajectory in COVID, like syndromic cases. Secondly, that there's a downward 14-day downward trajectory of actual new cases. And thirdly, that in terms of hospitals that we are able to treat all patients without crisis care," he said
Suarez said while the county may be readying to open parks and marinas, the city isn't there yet.
"They may be opening certain aspects that we will not yet have open. By the time that they open them, for example, they're likely to be opening this week, golf courses, marinas, and parks, While those would all be open under our phase one, we are not certain that we'll be at phase one at the time that the county opens them. So marinas and parks, in particular, may remain closed, even though the county has opened them," he said.
The mayor says as they begin to allow places to open, one of their concerns is policing and they would like to look at the county's plan to see how they will handle that.
"They've decided they're going to hire, you know, multiple hundreds of people to patrol their parks and that's something that we're going to have to look at in terms of costs and reimbursements, once and if the Department of Health either certifies or allows us to certify that we are at phase one," said Suarez.
WATCH: MIAMI MAYOR FRANCIS SUAREZ LAYS OUT THREE PHASE PLAN
Under phase one, parks, the beach on Virginia Key, and marinas would be opened with strict adherence to social distancing.
"Obviously, if we see that, in one of these openings, people are not observing the social distancing we have the right to a scale back that opening, understanding that I fully support Mayor Gelber closing of Miami Beach and it's something that I've discussed with him because I think Miami Beach is is very different. It gets a tremendous amount of tourists and has a lot more volume of people," said Suarez.
Also under phase one, lifting the curfew and the shelter in place order would be considered, except for vulnerable individuals.
During phase one, businesses or establishments would be restricted to operating at 25 percent capacity and have strict social distancing of six feet or more.
"Alcohol service establishments of any kind will be closed or remain closed in phase one as will casinos, card rooms, racetracks, and pari-mutuels," said Suarez.
Restaurants will still only be able to do take out and food delivery.
Suarez said once they have another 14-day decrease in positive cases and the hospital status remains stable, they will then consider going into phase two.
In this phase, business establishments could operate at up to 50 percent of capacity.
"No businesses can have more than 250 people at a time, restaurants can begin to operate with restrictions," said Suarez.
What those restrictions will be is still being worked out.
"Potentially, you know, thermometers at the door, employees using face coverings and gloves. Obviously, you know, the restrictions internally can get complex, does a family have to sit six feet apart," said Suarez.
Under phase two, movie theaters, live performances, venues, arcades, bowling alleys may open with social distancing norms observed.
Vulnerable individuals will continue to shelter in place in phase two.
After another 14 days of diminishing cases and stable hospital status, it would be time for phase three.
"Vulnerable individuals will be able to, on a limited basis, resume public interactions, but should continue to practice social distancing. Alcohol service establishments that do not serve food may open with diminishing standing occupancy, and in gyms and fitness centers may open respecting social distance and sanitation protocols," said Suarez.
In all of the phases, Suarez said people should still be washing their hands frequently, use sanitizers, avoid touching their faces, sneeze or cough into a tissue or inside of the elbow. They should also continue disinfecting frequently used items, using face coverings in public, particularly when using public transportation and staying home with their stick and contacting their doctor.
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