As we continue to battle the new coronavirus, everyone has the same question: Is it open or is it not?
People everywhere are confused as they try to eat, shop and play like the good old days.
Although the governor has opened much of the state, the rules for South Florida have been different because the number of cases has been especially high.
The rules differ whether you’re in Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade County — and you must get it right, because in some cases there are fines for violations.
Here are the rules.
Broward County
Masks: Facial coverings must be worn by patrons in public indoor spaces and by all food workers, except while eating and drinking and exercising, as well as all outside spaces when social distancing by 6 feet is not possible. This includes parks and beaches. A violation is a second-degree misdemeanor subject to fines up to $500 per violation, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both.
Restaurants: Indoor seating is permitted at 50% capacity. Outdoor seating is encouraged. Restaurants must also shut down for on-site dining from midnight until 5 a.m. Restaurants can continue to operate for takeout, drive-thru and delivery services.
Bars and nightclubs: They are not allowed to open, but restaurants with bars can open as long as the bar stays closed. Patrons must have their drinks at the table. There is no congregating or sitting at the bar.
Gyms: Allowed to operate at 50% capacity, with sanitizing rules.
Day cares: Allowed, with sanitizing rules.
Summer camps: Allowed. Masks must be worn by anyone 2 or older; staff must have temperature checks.
Movie theaters and bowling alleys: Allowed to open at 50% capacity, with sanitizing rules. Groups must be socially distanced from other patron groups.
Public swimming pools: Allowed to open, with restrictions.
Parks: Open, but social distancing is required. The playgrounds at parks are closed with the exception of splash pads, which are allowed to open for use by organized activities such as summer camps. Many rules are in place. Tennis courts are limited to four people on the court. Basketball is allowed only for single players, except for a game of H-O-R-S-E.
Golf: Open. Players must not touch or remove the flagstick from the cups at any time. All players must stay at least 6 feet apart, and there must be no more than one player per cart, unless they live in the same household.
Field sports: Organized sports — like soccer, baseball, basketball, softball, hockey and football — are permitted at parks if the activity is part of an established athletic league or part of an organized program. Organized sports are exempt from the park limitation restricting groups to no more than 10 people. Spectators are allowed “subject to social distancing guidelines.”
Hair and nail salons: Permitted. Among the rules: Services should be by appointment only. Visits must be scheduled with at least 15 minutes between appointments to allow time for proper disinfecting, and customers waiting for appointments are encouraged to wait outside and practice social distancing. Social distancing requirements do not apply to members of the same household.
Museums: Allowed to operate at 50% capacity, with social distancing rules. Interactive activities and exhibits must remain closed, including child play areas.
Libraries: They have stayed open for staff only, although there is a “walk-up/drive-up” service to pick up reserved materials. Masked patrons wait in their cars for their turn, and then they are handed their materials in plastic bags through their car windows. Walk-up customers can retrieve materials at a designated table. All libraries except for the Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center and the Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library participate.
Stores: Allowed to open at 50% capacity, with sanitizing requirements.
Beaches: Open with social distancing and facial coverings required. Beach restrooms and showers must be sanitized at least every three hours; no group gatherings or events of more than 10 people are permitted; and no group or organized sports, such as volleyball, are allowed.
Parimutuels: Casinos can operate if reopening plans are approved by the county and with enhanced safety guidelines.
Tattoo shops: Permitted, with social distancing rules.
Palm Beach County
Masks: Facial coverings must be worn indoors, including stores, restaurants, hotels, gyms, grocery stores and public buildings such as libraries, and they must be worn outdoors where social distancing can’t be accomplished. Violators can be fined up to $250 for the first violation and $500 for each additional violation for businesses; fines for people start at $25.
Restaurants: Indoor seating is permitted at 50% capacity. Outdoor seating is encouraged. Restaurants cannot serve food or alcohol and have to be empty – aside from closing and cleaning staff – at 11 p.m. There cannot be indoor or outdoor seating from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Individuals can be fined $25 for the first violation, $50 for a second and $100 for any additional violations. Businesses can be fined $250 for the first violation, $350 for a second and $500 for each additional violation of the order.
Stand-alone bars and nightclubs: They are closed. Bars within restaurants are closed until the governor allows the county to enter Phase 2.
Gyms: Permitted with sanitizing protocols.
Day cares: Open.
Summer camps: Open.
Movie theaters and bowling alleys: Closed.
Public swimming pools: Community pools are allowed to open with sanitizing rules. Shower facilities must remain closed.
Parks: Some parts, such as walking trails, at many locations are open, but social distancing is required. Playgrounds at parks are closed.
Golf: A shared cart is allowed where a physical divider separates the driver and passenger, unless the players are wearing masks. Golf instruction is permitted for more than one person “if strict social distancing is followed.”
Field sports: Field and lawn sports are permitted with no more than 50 people per field, including spectators. All players and spectators must maintain 6 feet physical distancing.
Hair and nail salons: Open, with safety protocols.
Museums: Permitted at 50% capacity if the county approves the reopening plan and makes a site visit.
Libraries: All locations are closed on Sunday. Facial covers are required. A limited number of computers will be available with social distancing measures enforced. Computer users are limited to an hour computer session per day. Returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours. Members are asked to return items through the book drop or automated returns and to place items removed from shelves on book carts for quarantine.
Stores: Permitted to open with social distancing and sanitizing protocols.
Beaches: Closed for July 4th weekend but otherwise open with social distancing required.
Parimutuels: Closed.
Tattoo shops: Closed.
Miami-Dade County
Masks: They are mandated in public – indoors and outdoors. Masks must now be worn on the beach unless you are in the water. A violation of the mask law is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 per violation, imprisonment up to 180 days, or both.
Restaurants: Permitted to open at 50% capacity. But all restaurants that seat more than eight people must close their on-site dining areas from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily.
Bars and nightclubs: They are still not allowed to open, but bars within restaurants can open. Drinks can be served at the tables but not at the bar.
Gyms: Permitted. But people must keep 10 feet of distance.
Day cares: They were never closed, but groups of 10 or fewer children are encouraged.
Summer camps: Permitted with many rules. Camp organizers are required to ensure there are separate spaces for groups of up to 10 children. They are encouraged to have children spend more time outdoors. Children are not allowed to share items with others while at camp and are being told not to bring toys, blankets or other items from home. If they are in a sport camp, they need to bring their own equipment. Everyone also must undergo a temperature check.
Movie theaters and bowling alleys: Permitted to reopen after submitting a plan to the county.
Public swimming pools: Permitted. At county pools, a maximum of 18 swimmers are permitted in the pool at a time, nine at a splash pad, plus limited lane swimming. Social distancing guidelines must be met.
Parks: Open for limited use such as walking or cycling, and groups of 10 people and larger are not permitted. But playgrounds at parks are closed.
Golf: Permitted. Players must not touch or remove the flagstick from the cups at any time. All players must stay at least 6 feet apart at all times, and there must be no more than one player per cart, unless they live in the same household.
Field sports: No competitive sports are permitted. Teams up to 10 are allowed to practice skills and drills with masks (unless it’s strenuous activity). Social distancing of 6 feet is required if wearing a mask, or 10 feet with no mask.
Hair and nail salons: Permitted at 50% capacity, with social distancing requirements of 10 feet apart.
Museums: Allowed to open at 50% capacity.
Libraries: Allowed with social distancing requirements. Computers must be cleaned between patrons.
Stores: Allowed to open at 50% capacity.
Beaches: Closed for July 4th weekend but otherwise open with social distancing required.
Parimutuels: Permitted.
Tattoo shops: Permitted.
