Reopening Miami-Dade: Gyms, Fitness Studios, Summer Camps Can Reopen June 8
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced gyms, fitness studios, and summer camps can open on June 8 with restrictions in place to maintain social distancing.
"This wasn't an easy one," Mayor Gimenez said on a video conference call with reporters on Thursday. "There is a lot of heavy breathing and sweating going on and particles in the air from many of those strenuous exercises, so we had to be very careful."
That will include the city of Miami.
"We don't know the rules yet for gyms, for gym openings, because we have not received them from the county," said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. "But as soon as we get those rules we'll evaluate them well either adopt them or modify them."
Gyms in Miami-Dade County have been closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Broward County gyms opened on May 26 at 50 percent capacity. In Broward County, face coverings at gyms are not required when working out or cooling down, but temperature checks and social distancing must still be followed.
Short-term rentals and vacation homes will also be allowed to operate at limited capacity in Miami-Dade County beginning June 8.
Miami-Dade County remains under a curfew from midnight until 6 a.m.
Beaches will remain closed in Miami-Dade County until the curfew is lifted, but Mayor Gimenez on Thursday did not give any indication on when that would happen.
"We'll have to look at events around the country and also what's happening today," Mayor Gimenez said.
Both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties implemented curfews after some protests in South Florida turned violent over the weekend. Broward County lifted its curfew on Wednesday.
On Thursday's video call, Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez III said he supported lifting the curfew in Miami-Dade, but Mayor Gimenez opted to keep it until further notice.
On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Phase 2 re-openings across the state, but excluding Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
"We expect more and more of Miami-Dade County to open up soon," Mayor Gimenez said.
And parents get ready, summer camps are opening as well.
"Next week we will also open up summer camps for kids with stringent rules to protect against the spread of the virus and make sure that safety always comes first," Gimenez said.
When gyms and summer camps open on Monday, cities within Miami-Dade County can implement stricter guidelines.
CBS4 reached out to cities within the county for their responses.
In the city of Miami, private camps, like the one at the Frost Museum of Science, are allowed to open their doors June 8 and public camps June 15. The openings are just in the nick of time as schools begin letting out.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said summer camps at schools will reopen under two conditions.
"CDC guidelines and recommendations are followed. Safety and health precautions are taken by the operators of the programs," he said. "And that all liabilities are provided for the school board, for the entity, but most importantly for the parents and the children."
Hialeah, Miami Beach and Miami Garden, the three other cities in Miami-Dade that had been in lock step with the city of Miami on their reopening procedures, are still working on a final decision in regards to gyms and summer camps.
The city of Miami Beach told CBS4 they're learning toward opening gyms and summer camps on June 8, but there is no official answer until the city issues an order which will likely be released Friday.
Hialeah's mayor said he's waiting to take a look at the county's order and will then make a decision.
A spokesperson for the city of Miami Gardens said, "The City continues to monitor coronavirus infection rates as we continue to slowly reopen. No dates for gyms and summer camps can be determined at this time."
Virginia Key Beach Park will reopen on June 8. The city's summer camps will open on June 15.
