DeSantis gives green light for Miami-Dade and Broward to reopen businesses Monday

By Douglas Hanks and Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed off on plans for Miami-Dade and Broward counties to reopen restaurants and other businesses deemed non-essential, the governor announced Thursday at a press conference in Doral.

“Miami-Dade and Broward have both submitted plans that I’ve approved,” DeSantis said. “Today we take another important step for a very important part of the state of Florida.”

It was the latest effort by DeSantis to boost consumer spending in a state economy crippled by sweeping closure orders, people fearing for their health if they venture into businesses allowed to open, and the anxiety caused by a global slowdown that’s sparking permanent business closures across South Florida and around the world.

The gubernatorial event at the shuttered Downtown Doral shopping center included Gimenez and the mayor of Broward County, Dale Holness. The adjoining counties are the last two in Florida with outstanding emergency orders closing dining rooms, and both have announced plans to lift those restrictions Monday.

Miami-Dade’s reopening plan released Wednesday included detailed draft rules that highlight how difficult it will be for businesses to fully recover after two months of closures, and the different world that awaits consumers when they choose to return to favorite establishments.

For shops, customers and workers must be turned away if capacity inside hits 50 percent. For hair salons and barber shops, customers must wait outside until a chair opens up inside.

Businesses must eliminate the use of water fountains, and clean bathrooms and elevators every two to three hours. Visitors and employees in office buildings are required to wear masks “while in the building,” the rules said.

Some of Miami-Dade’s largest cities, including Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah and Miami Gardens, won’t immediately allow restaurants and retailers to open Monday. Instead, they will allow many businesses to reopen next Wednesday, May 20 and restaurants about a week later.