Can you visit the gym, get a tattoo, host a party during coronavirus in Miami-Dade?
Miami-Dade County is getting closer to “life in the new normal” as Florida slides into summer. More businesses are reopening Monday, including gyms, tattoo shops and massage parlors, and newlyweds can also start looking into booking parties at banquet halls again.
Summer camps were also given the green light to open, a relief for parents needing somewhere to drop off their kids now that school is out and vacation is here. So were short-term rentals and dog parks.
The newly reopened businesses are classified under the county’s “Phase Green Flag” and “Phase Blue Flag,” the two final stages in its reopening initiative before life officially returns to the “new normal” in the COVID-19 era. Establishments classified as blue are considered hard to safeguard because of the proximity between people.
But this doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. Florida has a total of more than 63,000 confirmed cases, and the number is climbing. The state has recently seen a five-day trend in which daily totals of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases have surpassed 1,000.
What’s still not open Monday?
Casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, beaches and large gathering areas.
Most of Florida was given the OK by Gov. Ron DeSantis to allow bars, movie theaters and bowling alleys to open at half capacity Friday, excluding Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. The three South Florida counties will have to make a written request to the state from their county mayors or county administrators to be approved.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez says the businesses will be allowed to reopen once the county approves an operations plan for each facility.
There are also a host of new social-distancing era rules employees and customers will have to follow at the newly reopened businesses. Here’s what you need to know:
Miami-Dade gyms, summer camps, tattoo, banquet halls and massage parlors are reopening. Do you need to undergo a temperature check and COVID-19 screening?
Many businesses in Miami-Dade are requiring staff and customers to undergo a temperature check and pass a COVID-19 health screening before being allowed inside. Regardless of where you visit, there are three things you need to keep in mind:
▪ Everyone, including staff and employees, must wear a mask or facial covering (a fabric that covers your mouth and nose) at all times. The only people who are not required to wear a mask/covering under the county’s executive order are children 2 and younger, people who are participating in “strenuous” physical activity and anyone who may have trouble breathing because of a chronic preexisting health condition. You also don’t need to wear a mask while you’re eating.
▪ Don’t get mad if you are turned away or have to wait outside for an extended period of time before being allowed in. Businesses have had to cut their maximum capacity by 50 percent to follow social distancing guidelines and many are now operating on an “appointment only” basis..
▪ If you are sick, stay home, regardless if you are an employee or customer.
Miami-Dade gyms, dance studios, fitness centers reopen: What to expect?
As people have come to expect in the coronavirus era, there will be lots of changes at gyms and wellness centers when they open Monday. The same rules apply to studios providing dance, martial arts, yoga, spinning and personal training. The general rule of thumb: Do what you have to do and leave — lingering is not recommended.
▪ Do I have to wear a mask the entire time I am at the gym?
It depends. For some activities, people have to be 10 feet apart, but don’t have to wear masks. Those activities include: aerobic classes, dance, barre, boot camps, cheer leading, circuit training (no sharing of equipment), gymnastics, indoor tracks (people can only go in one direction), pilates, spinning, stationary cardio equipment and strength training.
▪ How will my gym look now?
There will be a lot more signs and sanitation stations. Some services will not be opened just yet, including saunas, steam rooms, locker rooms and showers (except pool showers). Amenities that may have been provided before including deodorant or shave cream will be locked away. Some gyms might provide single-use items. Also, prepare for gyms to be as bare as possible. Chairs and other furniture could be gone and books, magazines and newspapers will be nowhere to be found. All equipment will be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
▪ Will I have to bring my own towel?
Yes, the new rules prohibit gyms and fitness centers from providing equipment including towels, heart monitors, mats, blocks and other equipment. The general rule is shared equipment is not allowed. So make sure you have everything you need to complete your workout.
▪ What will the restrooms look like?
Showers are closed, a trash can will be near the door if the door cannot be opened without touching it, signs will be placed near the toilet reminding people to close the lid before flushing and air dryers will be turned off. Instead, paper towels will be provided and there will be signs reminding you to wash your hands.
▪ What should you do to stay safe and keep others safe?
First, if you don’t feel good for any reason, stay home. Gyms are required to ask staff members CDC questions and make them stay home if there are any concerns. Other suggestions: plan your workout routine ahead of time to avoid lingering; avoid touching anything other than the equipment you are using; avoid using gloves that are not easily cleaned; wipe down each piece of equipment before and after use and schedule classes/ pay in advance when possible.
Miami-Dade businesses reopen: Can I get a tattoo? What about a massage?
While these two services are different, both fall under the same category as salons (which have already opened) in the the county’s rule book. And yes, there are some new rules to know before booking either service.
▪ Will anybody be able to come with me to get a tattoo?
No. Only the person receiving the service — this applies to massage facilities too — will be allowed into the business. The only exception to this rule is in the case of a minor.
▪ Can I just walk in?
Again, the answer is no. Spontaneous trips to the tattoo parlor are not acceptable under the new rule book. Appointments, whether it be for a tattoo or a massage, are required. Also, a person can’t go in until they are notified that their technician is ready for them. Businesses are required to record appointments for the purpose of notifying others if there is a COVID-19 outbreak.
▪ How do I know it is safe?
Employees are not allowed to share tools and must wear masks and gloves at all times. Face shields are highly recommended. Service providers and artists must wear single-use aprons and dispose of them between clients. Everything — and we mean everything — has to be cleaned in between clients. Customers must wear masks when not getting a service to the face.
▪ How will the office look?
Pretty empty. Everything considered “non-essential” is required to be removed from the businesses, including books and magazines. Since everything is by appointment only, there shouldn’t be any place for people to sit and gather.
▪ What are some questions I can ask my tattoo artist/ masseuse to make sure everything is clean?
For starters, a good question to ask is if the table/chair being used has been thoroughly disinfected. Even better: If there is a disposable drape over the chair or table. Another good thing to know is if disinfected tools are being stored in closed containers. It’s also good to make sure that technicians wash their hands before beginning a service. (It’s best if they wash them in front of you.)
Miami-Dade says banquet halls can reopen. Does this mean I can have my wedding, quinceañera, Sweet 16 celebration now?
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Yes, but it will probably look a lot different. For one, banquet halls — like everywhere else — can only be filled to 50 percent capacity. Tables must be set up so that people are at least six feet away from each other, unless they are family, and all linens, including underlays, must be replaced after each use. Buffet-style services are also suspended.
Instead, you can expect to have waiters and waitresses attending and serving food and drinks individually to each guest. You also can forget about eating with fancy flatware. All utensils must be offered in a “roll up” or “grab and go concept” — so expect to be eating with disposable knives, forks and spoons.
▪ Will I have to wear a mask at the party?
Be glad that fashionable facial coverings (a fabric that covers your mouth and nose) are officially a thing. Just like everywhere you go in Miami-Dade County, you will have to wear a mask or face covering to help limit the possible spread of COVID-19. You can find lots of cute and stylish options online using websites such as Amazon and Etsy, or check with local retailers to see what they have in stock.
Here’s a fashion tip: If the party has a theme, you can probably find a mask to go with it. Safari-style? Zoo Miami is selling animal-themed masks so you can unleash the tiger (or the lazy sloth) within you. Any Star Wars, Avengers or Disney princesses in the family? Official Disney character-themed masks are available.
▪ Are there any rules for dancing?
Miami-Dade County doesn’t give any guidance on dancing at banquet halls in its 248-page “New Normal” guidebook. The only dance reference made in the guidelines is for dance classes at studios and gyms.
If you are participating in a dance class and are wearing a mask, you need to stay at least six feet away from others. If you are participating in a dance class and are not wearing a mask, you need to stay at least 10 feet away from others.
The county did not immediately respond to the Miami Herald’s request for clarification about dancing in banquet halls. But, let’s be real: If the same rules apply to dance parties, talk about awkward. At least Grandma will be happy to see that you’ve left a surplus of room for your groovy Uncle Joe between you and your dance buddy.
Summer camps can reopen under Miami-Dade’s “New Normal.” What should my child expect?
Camp will be interesting this year. Not only should you expect to see a lot of “online only” camp options popping up, but there is a string of new rules parents, children and employees need to follow at physical camps. And we’re not just talking about everyone older than two needing to wear a mask.
For starters, each camp is required to ensure that there are separate spaces for groups of up to 10 people and are encouraged to have children spend more time participating in outdoor activities.
Kids also are not allowed to share items with others while at camp and are being told not to bring toys, blankets or other comfort items from home. If they are in a sport camp, they need to bring their own ball and any other equipment.
Everyone, including children, will also have to undergo a temperature check and pass a CDC-health screening before being allowed into the facility. Anyone with a temperature above 100.4 will not be allowed to enter the camp. And only one adult will be allowed to enter the facility with a child at a time.
▪ Will there still be field trips?
Field trips can still happen, but it might be more complicated than usual. Besides having to follow social distancing guidelines, the county is recommending camps avoid driving kids to field trips and other activities. Instead the county says the camp should encourage other means of travel, such as walking, jogging, bicycling and hiking, whenever possible.
To learn more about what summer camps will be like during the novel coronavirus pandemic, visit https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article243301321.html
For Miami-Dade County’s reopening guidelines, visit https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/new-normal.pdf
Additional reporting by Miami Herald staff writers Douglas Hanks, Maya Lora and Martin Vassolo.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 7:23 AM.
