COVID restrictions are easing. Here’s what you can and can’t do in Miami this weekend
Change is here, Miami. And we don’t mean autumn leaves.
There are new places to venture out to, thanks to Miami-Dade’s loosening of COVID-19 restrictions. Movie theaters, arcades and bowling alleys are reopening; so are amusement parks, including Zoo Miami. and other indoor spaces. Some team sports will return to county parks and a ban on renting shared scooters and bikes has been lifted. You can even go for a swim in the Venetian Pool.
Two art museums have also reopened: The Bass on Miami Beach and the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse in Wynwood.
Miami-Dade County has also pushed back its nightly curfew from 10 to 11 p.m. That’s an extra hour of social distancing for everybody.
One thing hasn’t changed: Masks remain mandatory in Miami-Dade County.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Longing for live music? You can hear it at a pop-up drive-in concert series that starts this weekend at the Miami Youth Fairgrounds. You can even dance by your car.
RESTAURANTS
Restaurants reopened for limited-capacity indoor dining, plus outdoor dining, takeout or delivery. Some restaurants have closed temporarily during the COVID-19 outbreak, while others have closed for good. If you’re still only interested in takeout option, Miami Herald food editor Carlos Frias has some suggestions.
BARS
The state of Florida has allowed bars to open at 50 percent capacity, but Miami-Dade bars remain closed unless they have a food license. If they do have a license, they can only operate at limited capacity and must abide by the Miami-Dade County curfew. Bars are now open in the Florida Keys. Miami-Dade officials will meet with business owners next week to determine the next step for bars.
NIGHTCLUBS
Nightclubs are still closed under county rules.
BEACHES
County beaches are open.
MOVIE THEATERS
Movie theaters are allowed to re-open in Miami-Dade County on Friday, Sept. 18. But don’t expect to eat popcorn at your seat — theaters will be required to set up designated eating and drinking areas. Check Fandango for local listings.
COUNTY AND CITY PARKS
All Miami-Dade parks are open, and so are marinas and golf courses.
BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
The park is open and has started up a new Group Snorkel Experience that makes it easier to maintain social distancing while snorkeling the reef, mangroves or even a shipwreck. Trips are four hours and capped at six people; book a trip here.
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Shark Valley and Ernest F. Coe visitor centers are open.
CASINOS
Casinos are open.
BOWLING ALLEYS
Bowling alleys reopen Friday, Sept. 18.
STRIP CLUBS
Strip clubs are closed.
MUSEUMS
The following museums are open:
The Bass, Miami Beach
Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, Wynwood
Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, Design District
Frost Museum of Science in Miami
Rubell Museum in Miami
Museum of Graffiti in Wynwood
Coral Gables Museum in Coral Gables
World Erotic Art Museum, Miami Beach
Art Deco Museum, Miami Beach
Gold Coast Railroad Museum, Miami
MALLS
Malls are open, many with new hours and curbside pickup options.
ATTRACTIONS
Many attractions have new hours and rules. Here’s what’s open and closed.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: Gardens open; select areas indoors open
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Open; has extended 50 percent off admissions through September.
Artechouse: Open
Deering Estate: Outdoor areas are open.
Kendall Ice Arena: Open
Museum of Illusions, Miami Beach: Open
Sky Zone trampoline park in Doral: Open
Zoo Miami: Open
Venetian Pool: Open
Miami Seaquarium: Closed
Jungle Island: Closed
Super Wheels Skating Center: Closed
Monkey Jungle: Closed
Dezerland Park: Closed
Coral Castle: Closed
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "COVID restrictions are easing. Here’s what you can and can’t do in Miami this weekend."