Beaches and pools are opening again in Miami-Dade. Here’s what to expect
Miami-Dade County joins its Broward buddies at the beaches and pools when Mayor Carlos Giménez’s order goes into effect on Monday, June 1.
That’s when the county’s established guidelines for the re-opening of its beaches, as well as hotels and pools, will bring the two counties more or less in line.
Broward opened its beaches on Tuesday but initially for swimming and exercising only — not for suntanning. That rule changes Monday when sunbathing, as well as bringing umbrellas, lounges, chairs and coolers, will be permitted.
Miami-Dade is going to let you work on that summer tan, albeit with numerous social distancing rules. Screw it up and you’ll be back in dry dock behind closed doors.
According to Giménez, all of the regulations in his order were developed after he and his team consulted with health experts at the Florida Department of Health, Jackson Health System, UHealth and the medical schools at the University of Miami and Florida International University.
These are the mandatory beach rules
▪ Got a whole bunch of friends? Pick nine of them and leave the rest behind. No groups of more than 10 people will be allowed together.
▪ All beachgoers must have facial covering available and ready to use at all times. This means have your mask on when you show up to the beach because you’ll be checked out by a local authority — be it a police officer, security guard or lifeguard.
▪ When you can’t maintain the social distancing rule of six feet of separation, put that mask on — unless you are members of the same household. Gripe about it and refuse and you may wind up back behind four walls. Children 2 and younger don’t have to wear face masks.
▪ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on masks and COVID-19 also say that those who have trouble breathing due to a chronic pre-existing condition or that can’t remove face coverings without assistance or on their own don’t have to wear them. This is the guideline the county is following.
▪ You can also take the mask off if you’re in the ocean or involved in a strenuous activity (like running on the sand, for instance). But even if you fall into this category, don’t stash the mask at the bottom of your bag. You will need it in your possession and be able to show it if asked by an authority figure. (Hint: Bring an extra clean one if the other gets wet or dirty).
▪ Nature calls? Put the mask on. They are required in the restrooms — which will be open. An attendant will be stationed outside restrooms. Access to the restrooms is limited to maintain six feet of separation. And the county is required to have them cleaned and disinfected every two to three hours, also per the CDC guidelines. Cross ventilation will also be maximized for the restrooms, meaning doors and windows will be open when feasible (which is usually the case on the beach, anyway.)
▪ Flush with the lid down, assuming there is a lid on your public toilet, to minimize the release of droplets. This is a good idea at home, too. And wash your hands.
▪ The beaches may be marked with flags, signs, cones or ropes to help space people out for appropriate social distancing requirements while sunbathing or sitting, for instance.
▪ Walking on the sand is a real good exercise but have face covering handy in case social distancing cannot be maintained. Joggers should double the social distance to 12 to 15 feet and/or don’t jog directly behind someone in their slipstream. This will help reduce the risk of breathing in their sweat. Good practice to follow when walking and jogging on city streets around your neighborhoods, too.
▪ Established pathways will be made one-way.
▪ Swimming/surfing (body, kite) and paddle-boarding and kayaking will be permitted where applicable but watch the distance.
▪ Sunbathing or sitting on individually owned beach chairs and/or beach towels is allowed at a minimum of six feet apart when not in the same family.
▪ You can eat together if you’re members of the same household but only up to the 10 people max rule.
▪ Outdoor showers may be used as long as social distancing is maintained. As in supermarkets, the entrances to the showers should be marked to show people where to stand while standing six feet apart.
▪ You can’t share beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers or other pieces of equipment like that unless you’re from the same household.
▪ No canopies or tents.
▪ Remember how much fun you had playing organized games like beach volleyball, football, soccer and Frisbee? Keep it a memory for now. You can’t do it now. Not allowed.
▪ Changing rooms, pavilions, beach gyms like exercise equipment stations, as well as playgrounds, won’t be open.
▪ No dogs or pets will be allowed on the beach at this time.
▪ No fishing on the beach, except at areas specifically designated and while following social distance guidelines.
▪ Concessions, like food spots or chair rentals, will be allowed if they follow CDC guidelines and the new norms. (No self-serve, for instance.)
According to the mayor’s order, “enforcement of beach procedures and protocols is a priority and beachgoers can be required to leave the beach if they are violating the requirements.”
The new pool rules
According to the CDC, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools. Proper operation of pools, which includes disinfection of the water with chlorine or bromine, should inactivate the virus, the CDC says.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t get the virus from your neighbor if they are on top of you on the deck or up in your face when your heads are above water. Personal space, people.
The new pool rules apply to community pools, pools at hotels and pools at condominiums, apartments and other residential complexes.
▪ Social distancing, much like on beaches, has to be maintained, such as six feet of separation for everyone except members of the same household. And no groups larger than 10.
The mayor’s order was not clear on the use of face masks at condo or association pools but follows CDC guidelines that say masks and face coverings should not be used while swimming because a wet mask will inhibit breathing. But you may have to wear one when entering the facility at the discretion of the association.
▪ Some associations have already removed chairs and lounge chairs to space them out to maintain six feet of separation. If you run a pool and haven’t done so yet, do it before you open on Monday.
▪ Hand sanitizers and/or disinfectant wipes should be made available around the pool deck area and in the public restrooms.
▪ There should be a one-way flow into and out of the pool deck — and this should be clear to see with the use of directional tape. Staff should monitor this rule.
▪ Lifesaving equipment like life rings and safety and hooks should be on the pool deck and be easily seen and accessible.
▪ Pool operators should make sure to clean pool furniture, gate latches, handrails and lifesaving equipment before opening the facilities and throughout the day.
▪ Markings on the floors and decks should help guide people to proper social distancing (six feet) spacing, including at restrooms.
▪ If the facility has a bar, bar stools and chairs have to be removed so as to maintain a six feet of separation rule. These spaces must be marked off.
▪ At hotel pools, staff and guests must wear a mask in common areas when social distancing can’t be maintained.
▪ As for that other pool rule staple — “don’t pee in the pool” — no one’s touching that. And with all the gallons of water and chlorine involved, you won’t get the coronavirus this way.
Miami Beach, Coral Gables opening
The City of Miami Beach and Coral Gables announced on Friday they, too, plans to open its beaches and pools on June 1. The beach and pool rules are similar to Miami-Dade’s, as both are following CDC guidelines.
“Over 100 social distancing ambassadors will be deployed on the beach daily for the next few weeks to ensure patrons are following the aforementioned measures,” according to Miami Beach’s news release.
Miami Beach guidelines specifically forbids coolers and floats at its beaches during this phase of re-opening. Coral Gables will not reopen its Venetian Pool yet.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
