Miami-Area Beach Reopening Delayed By Violent Protest

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced Sunday he is delaying the planned reopening of Miami-area beaches by at least one day in response to the violent protests over the weekend that left a Miami police officer injured and 17 police vehicles damaged.

"We want to make sure that Miami-Dade County is safe," Gimenez said on WPLG-TV's "This Week in South Florida" with hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney. "We're also going to be delaying the opening of the beaches tomorrow because a lot of the same officers that were on duty yesterday, and will probably be on duty today, were supposed to be there tomorrow to make sure that we practice social distancing and enforce the rules about opening the beaches."

Miami-Dade beaches, including beaches in the city of Miami Beach, had planned to reopen on Monday after being shut down since March to stem the spread of the new coronavirus in Florida.

Sunday's protests were generally peaceful around downtown Miami though protesters spilled onto Interstate 395 for a time blocking traffic. Miami-Dade police said they made 38 arrests on Sunday. Miami police reported three arrests.

In nearby Fort Lauderdale, several businesses suffered broken windows Sunday when people threw rocks. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis complained that outside agitators came to his city prepared to start trouble.

"They came with concrete blocks. they came with gas masks. They came with cartons of milk which are usually used to deter the effects of tear gas," Trantalis said. "They knew something was going to happen. They knew it because they were going to provoke it."

Miami-Dade County is considered the epicenter of the state's coronavirus outbreak along with nearby Broward and Palm Beach counties, which collectively account for some 55 percent of Florida's total cases.

Gimenez said he may postpone the beach reopening again if there is further violence.

"If everything is calm today then we can take a respite for tomorrow and then hopefully open up on Tuesday," Gimenez said on the Sunday program. "It really all depends on what happens today, what happens tonight."

A Miami Beach spokesperson told Patch on Sunday the planned reopening of hotels for nonessential guests and the reopening of condominium, hotel and apartment swimming pools will still take place on Monday as well as in residential communities.

The pools will also reopen at Goulds Park, A.D. Barnes Park and Oak Grove Park. Hotels will also be able to expand accommodations. Pools will have similar social distancing requirements as beaches.

The entire county has been placed under a curfew in response to Saturday's violent protest in the city of Miami. Under the curfew, people are not allowed on any streets or sidewalks for any purpose with the exception of essentialactive-duty police, fire rescue, first responders, and medical, health care and utility repair service personnel. The curfew allows people to walk their dogs within 250 feet of their homes.

Starting on Sunday, the curfew was in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., everywhere but the city of Miami which imposed an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

The beach reopening will include a number of social distancing requirements. People will not need to wear a mask while they are sitting on the beach, swimming at the beach, walking or jogging on the beach but they must carry one with them at all times.

Children two or younger, and anyone with respiratory problems, do not have to wear a mask. but everyone must have facial coverings with them for use when they are close to others or when they are heading to a concession stand or bathroom.

"If you plan on meeting friends at the beach, you need to keep a distance of 6 feet from them, and no more than 10 people can group together even at this distance," Gimenez said on Saturday.

People can bring an umbrella and chairs to the beach or get one from their hotel, condominium or apartment complex. They can also rent one from a concessionaire, but the concessionaire, apartment complex, condominium or hotel will be responsible for cleaning them after each use.

"People can walk, swim, sunbathe, paddleboard, kayak and sit and eat under their umbrella with family from the same household. People need to set up their chairs and umbrellas at least 6 feet away from others," Gimenez said. "You can’t bring canopies or tents or you will be asked to leave the beach."

Gimenez warned that beaches can always be closed again if necessary.

"If we start to slip up, and our COVID-19 numbers spike, unfortunately we may have to go back and close our beaches and pools, the mayor said. "I don’t want that. Nobody wants that, so let’s see if we can maintain our rules."

Changing rooms, playground equipment and picnic pavilions will remain closed. There will be no organized group activities or athletics, including volleyball, soccer, frisbee or paddleball.

"No dogs or pets of any kind will be allowed on the beach for now," Gimenez said. "It’s impossible to not have dogs socialize which would mean that their owners would have to get too close to others and that’s not something we want to have happen."

There will be no fishing except in specially designated areas that allow for social distancing. People can also fish from piers.

In the case of hotels, staff will have to wear their masks indoors and outdoors. Guest need only wear their masks in common areas, or as required outside. Elevator capacities will be limited to 50 percent of the maximum with no more than four people at a time unless they are from the same household.

"Guests will have to carry their own luggage unless they are physically unable to do so," Gimenez said. "Staff will follow rigorous cleaning and sanitizing."

The mayor said parking valets will not be permitted to operate at hotels that have on-site parking.