Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 30
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.
Miami condo pools can reopen Monday. Virginia Key, public pools will follow a week later
3:55 p.m.: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez had said the city would be following Miami-Dade County’s plan to reopen pools Monday, June 1. And that’s partly the case. City Manager Art Noriega is expected to sign an emergency order this weekend that would make the policy official. But under the anticipated order, the city’s public beach on Virginia Key and pools in city parks would reopen June 8.
Read the full story here.
Miami theater company has plans for reopening
2:25 p.m.: No one knows yet when theaters will be able to seat patrons of the arts in South Florida — or elsewhere. But one Miami theater has made plans for that day.
On Monday, June 1, Fantasy Theatre Factory at the Sandrell Rivers Theater, 6103 NW Seventh Ave., will begin seeking submissions of one-person performing-arts acts — plays, scenes, songs, and so forth — to fill out its planned new program, “Together Apart: One@SRT.”
The point: With just one performer on stage rather than a full cast, the idea is that performers would have less exposure to the coronavirus.
“Once the county, state and federal governments give the green light for performing arts facilities to open, we will be ready to safely and legally present shows,” Larry Fields, the theater’s executive artistic director, said in a statement.
For details on submissions visit www.ftfshows.com/one.
‘A lot of confusion.’ Sunbathers flock to Fort Lauderdale beach on first open weekend
2:05 p.m.: No chairs, no coolers, no umbrellas: that was the official mantra of lifeguards and police officers at Fort Lauderdale Beach Saturday morning, the first sunny weekend since Broward county beaches reopened on Tuesday. While there are other rules in place for residents who wish to venture out to the beach after two months of prohibition, few —if any — seem to be getting enforced.
Some of the confusion may stem from new rules that go into effect on Monday.
Read the full story here.
North Miami Beach eases its curfew
1:45 p.m.: Citing “the care with which its residents have resumed personal and business activity in the community,” the City of North Miami Beach eased its COVID-19 restrictions by reducing the hours of its overnight curfew. The new, reduced curfew hours are midnight to 5 a.m. and in effect now.
The original curfew was set two hours earlier, at 10 p.m.
All other conditions associated with the curfew remain in effect.
Florida sees more than 925 new coronavirus cases as Miami-Dade’s death toll hits 700
.png "coronavirus-updates-tests (1).png")
1:20 p.m.: Florida’s Department of Health on Saturday confirmed 927 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total of known cases over 55,000. There were also 34 new deaths announced, raising the statewide toll to 2,447.
Saturday’s increase in cases follows Friday’s 1,212 new cases, which was the largest daily increase since April 17.
Read the full breakdown here, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties’ figures.
Robert Is Here builds drive-thru
10:15 a.m.: The popular South Florida Robert Is Here Fruit Stand and Farm, a South Florida institution in Homestead, has adapted to the coronavirus. On Saturday, the now re-opened attraction posted a message on its Facebook page that it has created a new drive-thru to help customers practice social distancing — while still getting their beloved shakes and jams and fruits.
“Adapting to how things are right now has been one of the hardest things to do,” the post read. “We’ve had to test ourselves and take a step back to look at the bigger picture and how we can make this a safe operation for our staff and our customers. After so many rainy days and tents flying around we finally built our new and improved drive through!”
Sunbathing on the beach, getting a tattoo and more soon to be allowed in Broward County
10 a.m.: A new Broward County emergency order will be lifting key restrictions on beaches, community rooms and tattoo parlors on Monday after they were closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-14 which, starting Monday, will lift some restrictions on beaches and reopen certain businesses.
Read the full story here.
Beaches, hotels and pools reopening as Miami-Dade tries to get its tourism back
9 a.m.: Miami-Dade’s tourism industry spent 10 weeks smothered by coronavirus restrictions that shut down beaches and closed hotels to vacationers and most business travelers.
Monday begins the uphill task of convincing visitors to return while local governments police against the kind of fun in the sun that risks COVID-19 outbreaks.
Read the full story here.
Coronavirus disinfectant spray poisons Brickell Key dogs, owners say
8:50 a.m.: Brickell Key residents knew something was not right about the coronavirus sanitation measures implemented at their downtown Miami island. They felt as sick as dogs — their dogs.
Dozens of condo dwellers were afflicted with stomach cramps, headaches, rashes, eye irritations and nausea. Although their pet dogs couldn’t describe their symptoms, they were clearly miserable, too.
Priscilla Colon’s 4-year-old Blenheim Cavalier King Charles spaniel, named Astro, was hospitalized after he threw up 18 times in 24 hours. The veterinarian diagnosed him with bilious vomiting syndrome.
“I’ve had pounding headaches and stomach upset coinciding with Astro’s problems,” Colon said.
But it wasn’t caused by coronavirus infection. Colon and her neighbors are convinced it was caused by coronavirus disinfection.
Read the full story here.
What you need to know about using the bathroom as South Florida beaches reopen
8:30 a.m.: If you haven’t been to a beach or a park in months, your ability to, er, hold it till you get home probably needs some work and you’re not going to have a choice — you’ll have to hit a public restroom, especially now that beaches are reopening on Monday in Miami-Dade County.
If you’re planning a visit to a recently reopened park in Miami-Dade or Broward County, or perhaps you’re packing your swimsuit for a day at the beach, here’s what you need to know when you really have to go.
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
▪ Florida sees largest COVID-19 case increase in over a month.
▪ Who’s had COVID-19? Florida testing data shows thousands have antibodies to the disease.
▪ A Miami elder-care staffer tested positive for COVID-19 — and kept working anyway
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 9:19 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 30."
