Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 18
We’re keeping track of the latest news regarding the coronavirus in South Florida and around the state. Check back for updates throughout the day.
Key West gyms reopen after coronavirus shutdown with some new tools of the trade
6:30 p.m.: Dan Reynen reopened his WeBeFit Personal Training gym in Key West on Monday with copper coating the dumbbell grips, the door handles and the front desk.
Copper, known to kill the novel coronavirus along with other bacteria, was added just in time for the governor’s decision to reopen gyms and fitness centers throughout most of Florida. Broward and Miami-Dade counties were excused. Fort Lauderdale planned to allow gyms to open.
In these uncertain days, Reynen is not taking any chances that any of his six trainers or list of clients getting sick. And he’s done his homework on copper, ultraviolet light sanitizers and even face masks.
Read the full story here.
What caused Miami’s weekend coronavirus spike? Governor says it was testing backlog
6 p.m.: The weekend spike of about 550 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Miami-Dade County was largely due to a backlog of three-week-old test results from an undisclosed testing site, Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday.
The governor sought to put the spike into a positive context during a celebratory press conference about the progress the state is making on construction projects on Interstate 4 near Orlando.
Though he said he first suspected the numbers were driven by a growing outbreak among prisoners at the Homestead Correctional Institution, DeSantis said it turned out that about 400 of Saturday’s 554 new cases were due to a “test center not affiliated with the state” that hadn’t reported the results for cases from three weeks ago.
Read full story here.
Dadeland and other Miami malls reopen as shoppers slowly come out of COVID-19 hiding
5:40 p.m.: It took a pandemic to make snagging a good parking spot at Dadeland Mall easy.
Two hours after the massive indoor mall’s post-coronavirus reopening Monday, only a couple of dozen people walked through the gleaming, 1.4 million square-foot mall. More than 80 percent of its 185 stores and restaurants remained closed.
Dadeland’s two giant anchor stores, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, were still shuttered and have yet to announce when they will reopen. Nordstrom, the mall’s former third big store, is closed permanently — one of 16 locations around the U.S. the retailer shut down due to lagging sales exacerbated by the COVID-19 lock down. (The chain announced that its remaining existing locations, including two in Boca Raton and two in West Palm Beach, will reopen on May 21. The opening date for the Merrick Park store has not yet been announced. )
Read the full story here.
This woman had no child-care options for her son with autism — so she had to quit her job
5:10 p.m.:Arasay Peñate didn’t know what autism spectrum disorder was when she arrived in Little Havana from Cuba three years ago with her young son, who had trouble saying the word “mamá.”
But since her son, now-4-year-old David Silva Jr. , was diagnosed with the condition, her plans of coming to Miami to study and get a good job became secondary to her son’s care.
In March, when the coronavirus pandemic forced her son’s child care at Easterseals South Florida to close down, Peñate froze when she realized she faced an impossible choice.
Read full story here.
When will Florida universities reopen?
4:45 p.m.: State university system Chancellor Marshall Criser will present guidelines next week for reopening university campuses in the fall.
Students have been home since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Criser will discuss what universities need to do to safely reopen when of the university system’s Board of Governors meet May 28.
Universities will then use the guidelines to present individual plans for the fall semester during a June 23 meeting.
Visit http://www.fldoe.org/em-response for more information.
Goodwill stores open with new rules
4 p.m.: Anyone who entered one of the 20 Goodwill stores that reopened Monday had to new rules to adhere to.
Everyone had their temperature checked and had to wear a mask to enter. There were also markers throughout the store to indicate social distancing requirement.
And no dressing rooms were open. The remaining three stores will be open by Friday.
For a list of the 20 locations that are open visit www.goodwillsouthflorida.org
Museum of Graffiti reopens with new airbrush tent for face masks
2:30 p.m. The Museum of Graffiti in Wynwood reopens Wednesday and has adapted its exhibits and policies to fit the new world order.
Don’t worry. There’s still graffiti. But there are some changes. One of those is changes is the brand new outdoor Airbrush Tent, where visitors can design and make masks with help from a local artist.
As shops reopen, Coral Gables ends citywide COVID-19 curfew
1:45 p.m.: Coral Gables has ended its almost two-month citywide 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew now that its businesses have begun to reopen. Coral Gables Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli rescinded the citywide curfew on Monday, effective immediately.
The curfew had been in place since March 27.
To read the emergency order, visit https://www.coralgables.com/media/PublicAffairs/order%20rescinding%20cur.pdf
Florida’s COVID-19 restrictions are loosening. Here’s what you still can’t do in Miami-Dade, Broward
1 p.m.: Most businesses in Miami-Dade and Broward may be opened again for business but there’s still at least a dozen things you can’t do.
You can’t get a tan at the beach. Drink the night away at your favorite bar. Get a room at a hotel or motel. Enjoy dinner at a South Beach restaurant. Take a weekend getaway to the Florida Keys unless you live there.
What else can’t you do?
Thousands gather at wild block party in Central Florida
12:50 p.m.: Sheriff Mike Chitwood had a busy weekend. And not in a good way.
The head of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Central Florida posted his outrage over an out-of-control party in DeLand that went from Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Police footage shows dozens upon dozens of people walking along the streets, almost shoulder to shoulder, and not practicing social distancing.
Read the full story on how the sheriff’s office says the events unraveled.
Coronavirus concerns brings back drive-in movie theaters
12:30 p.m.: Hundreds of drive-in movie theaters still exist across the country and are beginning to make a comeback because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to media outlets. In South Florida, at least two drive-in movie night experiences have already been announced.
Miami Beach is hosting a drive-in movie night Sunday to help raise funds for its COVID-19 efforts. The city will be showing “Playing with Fire,” a 2019 PG-rated comedy starring John Cena, at the city parking lot on 46th and Collins Avenue. This is the same parking lot where COVID-19 tests were administered in April.
The film centers on fire superintendent Jake Carson (played by John Cena) and his team of firefighters who come to the rescue of three siblings. Their lives are then turned upside down as the men face their most challenging job yet — babysitting. The movie received a 77% audience score and a 21% percent Tomatometer score on RottenTomatoes website.
Tickets cost $5 per vehicle and are available on a first-come first-served basis online at register.miamibeachparks.com. Free popcorn is also included. The drive-in is for Miami Beach residents only and you must remain in your vehicle throughout the showing.
A drive-in movie theater is also expected to pop up outside Dezerland Park, the largest indoor theme park in the region which has been closed since mid-March due to COVID-19. The city of North Miami issued a permit last week to let the park host drive-in movie nights every Friday through July 3.
Florida COVID-19 cases push past 46,400 as death toll nears 2,000
11:35 a.m.: Florida’s Department of Health confirmed 854 additional cases of COVID-19 statewide Monday morning as select businesses across Miami-Dade and Broward County reopened their doors for the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown began.
The state now has a total of 46,442 confirmed cases. Of those new cases, 285 were in Miami-Dade and Broward County. There were also 24 new deaths announced statewide, inching the death toll closer to 2,000. The toll is at 1,997.
Publix, Winn-Dixie, other supermarkets change hours as COVID-19 restrictions loosen in South Florida
9:30 a.m.: Supermarket chains are starting to adjust hours again as COVID-19 restrictions begin to loosen in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
This includes Publix, Winn-Dixie, Fresco y Mas, Sedano’s, The Fresh Market, Aldi and Whole Foods Market. Some of the chains are also ending special hours for first responders and senior citizens.
Defying Broward County orders, Fort Lauderdale moves to reopen gyms
9:20 a.m.: The mayor of Fort Lauderdale is giving commercial gyms a green light to reopen on Monday, citing that COVID-19 infections have “steeply declined” in the city.
But this new executive order is openly defying a Broward County ordinance that says they must remain closed and could lead to a legal fight between the jurisdictions.
Miami-Dade is reopening: Do you still need to wear a mask?
9 a.m.: Yes, you still have to wear a mask or face covering (fabric must cover your mouth and nose) everywhere you go, including restaurants, airports, retail shops, offices, barber shops and salons. This goes for both employees and customers.
It’s all part of Miami-Dade’s “Yellow Flag” phase of its reopening plan, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said during a virtual town hall Friday afternoon. The county’s goal is to eventually bring life into “Phase Blue,” otherwise known as the “new normal” while limiting the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
And masks/face coverings play a big role in limiting the disease spread, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But not everyone needs to cover up.
Businesses in Miami-Dade, Broward reopen after COVID-19 shutdown
8:45 a.m.: Businesses across Miami-Dade and Broward County are reopening their doors Monday following a two-month COVID-19 shutdown. Some of the businesses allowed to reopen at limited capacity include retail, barbershops and salons. Restaurants are also allowed to offer dine-in services again.
The two South Florida counties were the last in the state to receive Gov. Ron DeSantis’ approval to begin the reopening process. But don’t expect to find all of your favorite spots open.
Some cities, including Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens and Miami Beach won’t reopen nonessential retail establishments until Wednesday, with restaurants opening a week later.
Other businesses, such as bars, nightclubs and movie theaters will remain closed until further notice.
Catch up to start the day
8:30 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Monday begins:
▪ Florida COVID-19 cases jump past 45,500 but the positive test rate keeps sliding down
▪ No information. No way off. 100,000 crew members remain in cruise ship limbo for months
▪ Miami theme park goes retro with new drive-in as COVID-19 keeps movie theaters closed
▪ Florida Keys to reopen to visitors June 1, county leaders say. Hotels will reopen and checkpoints will end
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 8:44 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 18."
