'It's A Psychological Boost,' Homestead Mayor On County On Phase 1 Openings In Miami-Dade
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade residents took another step toward their "new normal" when retail stores, personal grooming business, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses opened with restrictions on Monday.
Homestead Mayor Steven Losner had his temperature checked before he was welcomed into a barbershop in the city. He said today was a big step forward.
"For the public, it's a psychological boost to be able to do the things that we took for granted in the past. Getting a haircut or any other personal grooming," he said.
While Deli Lane in South Miami has sit-down service, it has been modified.
"We were take-out and delivery for nine weeks during the COVID crises and today is the first day that people will be allowed to sit at tables. Normally, we have full service but for the first couple of weeks, we are going to take it slow. You'll come in and order, we'll take your name and pack your food in disposable, biodegradable containers, and take it to your table.
The Dadeland Mall opened its doors after two months of being shut down. Crews could be seen sanitizing commonly touched areas.
But while the county gave the go-ahead for Phase 1 reopenings, some cities held back.
"I'd rather be a little bit behind the county and the governor if that gives us a better opportunity to prepare," said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber last week.
Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, and Hialeah all plan to allow their retail businesses to reopen on Wednesday, May 20th.
Miami, Miami Beach, and Hialeah restaurants will have to wait until a week after that to reopen their sit-in dining rooms. Miami Gardens doesn't plan to allow restaurants to do full service until early June.
Many non-essential businesses are struggling to meet all the new guidelines that have to be in place before you can open back up. Things such as plastic partitions, hand sanitizing stations, adequate masks and gloves.
Face shields are also few of the requirements at some businesses and they must limit capacity.
Shlomi Ezra who owns several restaurants and a hair salon in Aventura says the new requirements are daunting.
He is delaying reopening his restaurants and calls the new normal at his RH Salon challenging.
"There's a limit of 10. And between the workers and cleaning staff that's 10, so how are we going to survive?" he wondered.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez visited a Miami Lakes barbershop Monday.
"I'm happy that they're back in business and getting their customers back and getting this economy flowing," the mayor said.
He then stopped by Sergio's restaurant in Kendall.
Phase 1 reopening happened after there was an increase in Miami-Dade cases. From May 4th to May 10th, there were more than 1,100 positive cases. The following week, 1,700 tested positive and roughly 350 more people were tested during that week compared to the one before.
The spread is still on the minds of many.
"I think it's great to be out but still cognizant of the virus and everything," Flanigan's customer Chad Williams said.
