It's the moment we've all been waiting for... after months of carefully staying at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Miami has started to reopen as part of a phased process, including real estate offices and showing activities. However, the specific openings and procedures differ slightly between Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach. So, while you might be tempted to rush out to your favorite restaurant or hair salon, first read below before heading out to know what "Miami's New Normal" is going to look like. And no private business is required to open, so you may want to call your favorite place first.

Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez released the official guide to living in The New Normal, allowing many non-essential businesses to open on May 18th. The document covers the basics rules to reopening like requiring everyone to wear face coverings in public, wash hands often, and continue practicing social distancing, along with providing a detailed protocol for businesses to reopen safely.

According to this guide, Miami-Dade is currently in the 'Yellow Phase' or Phase I of reopening, where non-essential businesses are allowed to open with restricted capacity and safety rules in place. If everything goes well, the County will move on to a more relaxed "Green Phase," if not, things could be rolled back to an "Orange" level. Following suit, are the Cities of Miami and Miami Beach, as well as smaller cities in the county.

So, here's a list of the Where, When and How of Miami's phased reopening:

1. What's Still Closed?
2. What's Open? City of Miami
3. What's Open? City of Miami Beach
4. What's Open? Miami-Dade County Extra
5. Other Miami-Dade Guidelines

What's Still Closed? 

This reopening process is bound to be a bit confusing, bumpy and a work in progress. We should all remember that health and safety is still the No. 1 priority, and even government officials are being cautious.

Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach have announced to open beaches and hotels beginning June 1. Additionally, Miami-Dade County condo and hotel pools opened June 1. Until then, here's a clear reminder of what's still closed for all of Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and Miami Beach, as we begin to get back to a new normal:

Miami-Dade County

• Bars, pubs, night clubs, cocktail lounges, cabarets, and breweries, except for take-out or delivery services 
• Movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, arcades - Some Theaters opened June 18
• Hotels - Opened June 1
• Gyms or gymnasiums, spas and fitness studios, tattoo parlors and massage parlors - Opened June 8
• All recreational pools and hot tubs, including condo pools - Opened June 1 
• Key Biscayne Beaches - Opened June 10
• Public and private schools, colleges, and educational institutions - Summer camps opened June 8

City of Miami Beach (all of the above for Miami-Dade County, in addition to)

• All beaches - Opened June 10
• Residential Building Amenities 
• City of Miami Beach volleyball courts
• Some City of Miami Beach Park amenities. Check here to see what is open within each park. For example, within Flamingo Park, almost all facilities are closed except for the tennis center. 

What's Open? City of Miami: Phase 1 - May 20th

The City of Miami decided to reopen two days after the rest of Miami-Dade County. Just like Miami Beach (below), the City of Miami will be observing the same guidelines issued by the Miami-Dade County, including facial masks must be worn at all times, but with a few of its own Stand, Up Miami tweaks:

Retail Businesses - 50% Occupancy

Retail stores can open with customers and staff adding up to only 50% occupancy, provided 6-feet of social distancing plus sanitization rules of shopping baskets, carts and other items in place. Additionally:

• Fitting rooms will remain CLOSED, as will interactive displays and water fountains 
• All elevators will have a maximum capacity of 4 persons 
• Car valet parking is prohibited

Salons & Personal Grooming Businesses - 25% Occupancy

Specifically, all hair salons, nail salons, barbers, and other personal grooming businesses must operate by appointment only for only the customer (no guests or family allowed inside) and at 25% of occupancy or 10 individuals, whichever is less. Also:

• Employees must wear a facemask and gloves at all times
• Employees providing face-to-face services (beard/mustache, eyebrows, facials) must also wear a clear face shield when providing services
• Next-in-line customers must wait outside or in their cars 

Offices - Social Distancing Enforced

Offices can open with appropriate social distancing and sanitizing measures in place, including wearing facial masks. In particular:

• Offices with cubicles or open space designs shall establish the minimum 6 feet of social distancing required; or install physical barriers between workstations (e.g., plexiglass partitions) to ensure distancing
• Large gatherings are prohibited in conference rooms, lunchrooms, and other common areas
• Gyms plus play areas will stay CLOSED

Parks and Recreation

Only 26 of the City of Miami's parks are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, for individuals or families only. There is a strict ban on organized sports, training sessions, picnics, barbeques and birthday parties, which are being enforced by Miami Police Officers and park rangers. Further, most playgrounds, fitness zones, dog parks, public pools, picnic shelters, basketball and volleyball courts, and sports fields opened June 8.

See here for the complete list of parks open, as well as guidelines for visitors. 

What's Open? City of Miami: Phase 1b - May 27th

Restaurants - 50% Occupancy

City of Miami restaurants are planned to open May 27th at 50% occupancy in Phase Ib of the plan. Check this page or with the City of Miami reopening website for more details.

What's Open? City of Miami Beach - May 20th 

The City of Miami Beach reopened May 20th. While Miami Beach's reopening plan and emergency order will be observing the same general rules as laid out by the County, here are some of the important things (and exceptions) to note:

Retail Businesses - 50% Occupancy

All retail stores are allowed to reopen in Miami Beach, but with customers and staff adding up to only 50 percent of the store's occupancy. Expect to see social distancing markers on the floors for billing queues or elevators, one-way arrowed paths leading from entry to exit, and sanitizers at entry points, among other safety protocols. Additionally:

• Fitting rooms will remain CLOSED, as will interactive displays and water fountains
• Trying on clothes is prohibited 
• All Employees must wear facial coverings
• Car valets are prohibited
• See the complete list of mandates here

Lincoln Road Mall

While Lincoln Road retail can reopen 20th May, its restaurants can only open on May 27 under Phase 1b like the rest of Miami.

Lincoln Road promenade is already open to walkers, joggers, and bikers daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Salons & Personal Grooming Businesses - 25% Occupancy

Personal grooming businesses such as hair salons, nail salons, and barbershops are allowed to operate with only 25% capacity or a maximum of 10 individuals (employees and customers included). You will also be required to make an appointment since walk-ins are strictly prohibited. Furthermore:

• Washing of hair before a cut is now part of the New Normal (more info here).
• Employees must wear a facemask and gloves at all times
• Employees providing face-to-face services (beard/mustache, eyebrows, facials) must also wear a clear face shield when providing services
• Next-in-line customers must wait outside or in their cars 

Offices - Social Distancing Enforced

Offices in Miami Beach will be open for work with restrictions, such as a minimum of 6 feet social distancing between cubicles or plexiglass partitions and all employees and visitors wearing facial coverings. Additionally:

• All visitors and tenants must sanitize hands at time of building entry
• Meetings must be with 5 or fewer individuals
• Limited use of lunchrooms and other common areas
• Gyms and play areas will stay CLOSED until further notice. 
• Any offices with an on-site employee or contractor who tests COVID-19 positive shall close for the shorter of: the time needed for all staff to be tested and the establishment to be deep-sanitized, or 14 days from the date such employee or contractor was last onsite at such establishment for only the floor or building in which the employee worked
• You can see the complete list of requirements for offices here

Museums - 50% Occupancy

Museums, historical sites, and other such institutions can reopen in Miami Beach with 50% occupancy, inclusive of staff and customers, so long as 6 feet of social distancing is practiced at all times. Additionally:

• All employees and visitors must wear facial coverings
• Car valet parking is prohibited
• Public interactive displays and water fountains are closed
• Group tours are prohibited
• All restaurants within a Museum or Cultural Institution must follow the restaurant rules opening May 27th

Read here for the complete list of safety guidelines issued.

Beaches & Board Walks

All of the City's beaches will remain CLOSED until June 1. Broward County beaches will open May 26. 

However, Miami Beach's board walks, beach walks and baywalks will be open, with pedestrian-only timing prior to 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Picnics and public gatherings are still prohibited. 

Parks and Other Green Spaces - Various Openings

Certain Parks and other recreation facilities will remain open daily, with restrictions, including:

Parks – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Most restrooms, playgrounds, dog parks and fitness stations will remained closed

Tennis Centers – 7.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Only singles play
• Limited to one hour
• No coolers allowed

Boat Ramps – 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• One boat in launch area at time
• Only registered Miami Beach residents allowed to park
• Boats 25' or less: 4 adults maximum, total maximum of 8 people (including children)
• Boats 26' – 36': 6 adults maximum, total maximum of 10 people (including children); Boats 37'+: 8 adults maximum, total max of 10 people (including children)
• Jet Skis limited to one rider

Golf Courses – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Pro shop, locker room and bag storage area are closed
• One player per cart
• All water stations closed

However, since there are several restrictions on the usage of these facilities in Miami Beach, read this for further information on amenities open to the public, restricted areas in open parks, amenities closed to the public, parks closed to the public, parking and a park map guide. You can also keep this downloadable brochure handy to check back on Phase 1 rules and regulations before heading out.

What's Open? City of Miami Beach: Phase 1b - May 27th

Restaurants - 50% Occupancy

Restaurants and other food-service establishments such as those within hotels or museums, and sidewalk cafés can open for in-person dining from May 27, 2020, but you will need a reservation. Additionally, only those complying with all of the prescribed requirements will be allowed to open outdoor seating for their customers. More details include:

• Staff and visitors must wear facial coverings as necessary, except while eating
• Maximum table size is 6, 4 if not all of the same family
• Valet car parking is prohibited where onsite parking is available. Where parking is unavailable, valet may be utilized. Valet operator will step away 6 feet after opening car door and after parking, valet will switch or sanitize gloves prior to servicing the next vehicle
• Plexiglass barriers counters must be installed as an additional level of protection
• Opening of bar counters and any sort of live music or entertainment is strictly prohibited

Religious Institutions and Places of Worship - 50% Occupancy

In-person gatherings for City of Miami Beach churches, synagogues and worship services are limited to an indoor occupancy of 50% of the building's maximum, subject to all social distancing requirements enlisted in previous orders.

Public Transit - Closed

The Miami Beach Trolley system, Citi Bike, and Freebee services are all closed until further notice. Only Miami-Dade Transit's Metrobus system is running on limited routes and with reduced frequency that you can check for here.

Curfew Hours

The City of Miami Beach still needs to follow a daily curfew from 12 a.m. (midnight) to 5 a.m. All vehicular and pedestrian movement, standing and parking is prohibited during curfew hours, except for the provision of designated essential services.

For more details on how Phase 1 of Reopening Miami Beach is going to roll out, click here for the complete order or visit the official website here.

Other Miami-Dade Guidelines 

Miami-Dade County already opened up certain businesses on May 18, 2020 - Arts & Culture, Office & Shopping Centers, Personal Grooming Stores, Restaurants, Retail Establishments including small businesses – with detailed instructions on reopening and safety guidelines similar to those mentioned for Miami and Miami Beach above. We've mentioned a few additional updates below:

Malls

• Brickell City Centre reopened May 22, with limited hours of operation: Mon-Sat - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun - Noon to 6 p.m. 
• The Miami Design District reopened May 20, with limited hours of operation: Mon-Sat - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun - Noon to 5 p.m.
• The Bal Harbour Shops reopened May 18, with limited hours of operations: Mon-Sat - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun - Noon to 6 p.m.
• The Dadeland Mall reopened May 18, with limited hours of operation: Mon-Sat - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun - Noon to 6 p.m.
• The Aventura Mall reopened on May 21, with limited hours of operation: Mon-Sat - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun - Noon to 6 p.m.
• Sawgrass Mills reopened May 18, with limited hours of operation: Mon-Sun - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Miami-Dade County Parks

Parks are open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for limited use like walking, jogging, running, hiking, skating, cycling, and individual sports practice. Gatherings of 10 or more are still not allowed, along with camping, gyms or swimming pools. Find more details here.

Facilities like the Deering Estate, Fruit & Spice Park, and Trail Glades Range are also open for limited use.

Boating & Waterways

Miami-Dade County has set forth Marina Rules for limited activities, allowing activities like boating, charter vessels, jet ski rentals, fishing piers, etc., while restricting rafting, beaching, gatherings and such. This page mentions details on boat capacity, launch areas, charter vessels, stores, piers, and facilities.

Golf Courses

The County has prescribed Golf Course Rules such as one player per cart, practice range, bring your own golf club, and more applicable to all Miami-Dade County-operated golf courses. Follow this link for information on on-course facilities, golf course prep, manner of playing, food and beverage service, and staff.

Public Transit

• Effective May 18, the Metromover will operate with a 5-minute frequency from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays
• Effective May 18, the Metrorail Service will operate with a 10-minute peak time-frequency and 15-minute off-peak frequency from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays
• Effective May 18, several Metrobus services are going back to their pre-COVID-19 schedules, see here for the complete list
• For more service updates and information, bookmark or check back with this page

While the County and City are doing their best to contain the spread of the coronavirus as businesses and life are slowly brought back to a 'new normal', following all safety protocols and guidelines at our end will ensure the success of these plans. Staying safe and cautious at this time will help ensure the safety of others as well!

This article was last updated June 19, 2020.