Hotels in Miami-Dade are reopening. There are rules that come with your stay.
Looking for a getaway? Today is the first day Miami-Dade hotels and motels reopen to vacationers and staycationers.
After a two-months shutdown, the Miami lodging industry has been preparing for this next stage, but with caution. Everything will look different — checking in and out, cleaning, dining.
Hotels are classified as “Phase Blue,” considered the new normal, under the county’s colored flag system. Establishments classified as blue are considered hard to safeguard because of the proximity between people. However, the county mandates hotels to accommodate for social distancing and increased cleaning.
The reopening of county beaches has been postponed until a curfew set in response to weekend protests is lifted.
As Miami-Dade County moves toward what used to be common, here is what hotel guests will face.
Miami-Dade hotels, motels reopened: What should guests expect?
▪ All guests must wear a mask or facial covering over mouth and nose during their stay, except inside their hotel room. Employees are also required to wear a mask at all times.
This means guests and employees need to wear a facial covering during check-in at the lobby, while riding the elevator, and at any other “common space.” You must also wear a covering at “common areas” outside of the hotel if social distancing is not possible.
Exceptions: Masks are not mandatory for children 2 and younger or people who may have trouble breathing because of a chronic preexisting health condition.
▪ Be prepared to stay at least six feet away from others at all times, excluding family members, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Expect to see signs and markings on the ground (like those you see at Publix) to help promote social distancing.
▪ Checking in or checking out of a hotel or motel might take longer than usual. All hotels and motels are required to impose capacity limits for common areas, such as the lobby and elevator in order to follow CDC-approved social distancing guidelines, which suggest people stay at least six feet from others.
In Miami-Dade County, this means “staggered” entry by groups or individuals into the lobby. Up to 10 people will be allowed inside the lobby, with one guest allowed to approach the front desk for assistance at a time.
You also shouldn’t be surprised if you have to wait a little extra to take the elevator. Up to four people will be allowed to use the elevator per ride, unless they are family. The elevator will also have markings on the floor to keep strangers three feet from each other.
▪ Leave your pets at home. Only service animals are allowed to stay inside a hotel room, even if the hotel is pet-friendly, according to the county.
Remember: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that while there is a small number of pets in the world, including cats and dogs, known to have become infected with COVID-19, the risk of animals spreading the disease to people remains “low.” However, the center is still recommending people not allow their pets to interact with humans outside of their home, to keep cats indoors when possible and keep dogs on a leash and at least six feet apart from other people and animals.
This is because most of the animals diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, including two cats in New York City and a tiger at the Bronx Zoo, fell ill after being in contact with someone who had the disease. Researchers have also found that an infected cat can then spread it to other cats.
Is valet and room service available at Miami-Dade hotels after coronavirus? Are gyms, pools, restaurants open?
Yes, but it’s complicated.
▪ Valet parking will only be available at hotels that do not offer onsite parking. If offered, valet employees must wear masks/facial coverings and gloves and must stay at least six feet from the guests after opening the car door. Once the valet driver parks the vehicle, they must switch or sanitize their gloves before being allowed into the hotel or touching another car.
Valet also cannot help with luggage. Guests will be required to remove and carry their own bags, unless they are not physically able to lift it.
▪ Hotels are required to maintain regular housekeeping practices and ensure that the staff is using EPA-approved cleaning solutions only.
▪ Meeting, banquet, convention spaces must operate at a 50 percent room capacity, with tables set up to make six-foot social distancing possible and cannot have gatherings of more than 10 people at a time. Restaurants will also have to follow new coronavirus safety guidelines like others in the county. And buffet-style self-service is suspended.
▪ Hotel pools can reopen if they follow the county’s social-distancing era pool rules. Don’t worry, you can swim without a mask, but you will have to wear it at poolside common areas when social distancing can’t be maintained.
▪ If you’re staying at a beachfront hotel, you cannot use the beach until beaches reopen countywide.
▪ Gyms are still closed in Miami-Dade but you can always walk, run or swim to meet your daily fitness goal. You can also play golf if there is a golf course nearby.
▪ Bars are also still closed except for takeout or delivery services.
Pro Tip: Always check with the hotel or motel before making a reservation as it might have other restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What changes are hotels in Miami-Dade making to keep guests safe?
▪ Protocol is in place for employees who contract the coronavirus. Any establishment with an employee or contractor who tests positive must be closed for either 14 days from when they were last on site or the time needed for all people in contact with that person to be tested and cleared.
In hotels with multiple floors and structures, only floors or areas where the infected person worked must be sanitized. Medical professionals have to clear infected employees as being COVID-free before they can return to work.
▪ Cleaning will be different. Facilities must have increased sanitation of frequent touch points, easy access to trash cans near entrances and exits, nightly comprehensive cleaning of facilities, and hand sanitizer by entrances and within buildings.
Proper disinfectants must be used regularly on desk check-in counters, elevators, elevator buttons, door handles, public bathrooms, room keys and locks, escalator and stair handrails, gym equipment, and dining surfaces and seating areas.
High-touch points in guest rooms must also be disinfected. All linens must be washed at high temperatures.
▪ Staff needs to be educated and prepared. CDC safety guidelines and hotel policies must be clearly visible to employees and guests in English and Spanish throughout properties. All personnel are to be trained in safety protocols and COVID codes of conduct. Training will be offered in English, Spanish and Creole as needed by Miami Dade College trainers.
Medical kits will be at reception desks with disinfectant, face/eye masks, disposable gloves, a disposable protective apron and a biohazard disposable waste bag.
Employees should be ready to call health authorities, hospitals and assistance centers such as the Florida COVID line if a guest is sick.
▪ Don’t expect to be close to others. Groups must be smaller than 10 people, both indoors and outdoors. Employee-employee contact and employee-guest contact should be minimal.
To learn more about the different requirements and restrictions, visit www.miamidade.gov/information/library/emergency-order-23-20-amendment-1.pdf
This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 6:27 AM.
