Miami-Dade County Prepares to Reopen Beaches. Here Are the Rules

Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Miami-Dade County, on Friday the commission voted to reopen its beaches and hotels on June 1.

As Miami-Dade County beaches get ready to reopen on June 1^st, visitors will be greeted by a new sight. Signs will be posted pointing out the activities visitors can and can’t do, as well as warning them of the consequences for “non-adherence” to the rules, such as being removed from the beach.

Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Miami-Dade County, one of South Florida’s hot zones for the pandemic with 17,041 confirmed cases as of May 25, on Friday the commission voted to reopen Miami’s beaches and hotels on June 1 and — at this time — the county has marked that day as its target for reopening beaches countywide.

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The preliminary guidelines were prepared by County staff with input from the city managers, medical personnel convened by the County, and County Parks’ staff.

The group will meet with Mayor Carlos Gimenez on Tuesday, May 26 to go over the proposed plan.

The exact rules for Miami’s beach reopenings are still to come, but the rules that will be enforced include the following:

• Facial coverings must be worn when social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained, except for members of the same household and except when in the water.

• Visitors will be turned away from the beach if they don’t have a “facial covering ready to use at all times,” according to the guidelines.

• Facial coverings will be required at beach restrooms and at concession stands.

• Access to restrooms will be limited to observe social distancing.

• Walking and jogging will be allowed using one-way or separate trails when possible.

• Sunbathing and lounging on personal chairs and towels will be allowed. But a distance of six feet must be kept between visitors, not in the same household.

• Organized or group activities, like volleyball or Frisbee, will not be permitted.

• Swimming, surfing, kayaking and paddle-boarding are allowed.

• No fishing or special events, such as picnics, will be allowed.

• No groups bigger than 10 people will be allowed to gather and common areas such as picnic tables and playgrounds will remain off-limits.

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Someone to Watch Over You

“Ambassadors”, as they are euphemistically called by the guidelines, will be stationed at regular intervals to watch over the beachgoers, making sure they comply with the rules. However, “use of ambassadors can be phased out when there is empirical evidence that beachgoers understand and are abiding by the requirements,” according to the rules. The police will also be on hand.