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Reopening South Florida: Beaches Remain Closed Memorial Day But Will Reopen Tuesday In Broward

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Surf and sand starved locals and tourists in South Florida are ready to dip their toes in the water.

On Tuesday Broward County, is re-opening beaches from Deerfield to Hallandale after two months of a stay-at-home order related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The beaches will be open from sunup to sundown.  You can swim, but there is no sunbathing and you must practice social distancing.

"I'm happy to be back, but I'll stay six feet from everyone else," said Zach Rankin, who lives a mile from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Some residents are not happy with the restrictions.

"You can't sit under an umbrella, but you can sit in a restaurant. It doesn't make sense to me," said Jimmy Philyaw.

The beaches reopening is expected to bring a boost to restaurants next to the water, like Aruba Cafe in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, which has been open for sit down dining.

"Guests are coming back. We are getting calls for reservations," said Aruba manager Dwayne Wiseman. "But it will take a while To fully recover."

RELATED: Mayors Of 3 Broward Cities Explain Process, Restrictions Of Reopening Beaches

Gyms and fitness centers will re-reopen on Tuesday with limited capacity and lots of sanitizing.

Hotels in Broward have also been given the green light to restart Tuesday.

"It has been a long journey to put a plan together," said Heiko Dobrikow, who runs Fort Lauderdale's Riverside Hotel.

Guests are subject to temperature checks and there are markings on the floor. High touch areas are disinfected with an ultraviolet light.

In the restaurant, they've spaced tables and put up barriers.

Dobrikow said reservations are coming in.

"Most are from Florida. It is a staycation market," said Dobrikow.

With domestic and international airline travel Down, he said it may be a year before hotels recover.

On Miami Beach, hotels and the beach won't open for another week. Full dining at restaurants starts Wednesday.

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