Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade Opening Gyms Starting Monday: Mayor

The announcement comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that the state would be moving into phase two of reopening

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Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced in a Thursday virtual news conference that gyms in the county would be reopening starting June 8.

The mayor said social distancing guidelines set by the county, state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be followed, which would include requiring face masks to be worn.

Gimenez also said that summer camps for children would be opening up on that date, a move that comes after schools were closed in March amid the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that the state would be moving into phase two of reopening - allowing for eased restrictions on locations such as restaurants and the reopening of bars, nightclubs and more in all counties except Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.

Both bars and theaters will be able to open at 50% capacity, while restaurants can now allow seating at bars. Gyms will also be able to operate at full capacity.

While South Florida will not be included in the initial reopening date, county mayors can still send a written request to the governor asking to be added.

"Miami, Broward and Palm Beach may seek approval, have a plan, submit it through the mayor or county administrator," DeSantis said. "They're on a little bit different schedule."

Gimenez says he is working with the state on reopening locations, saying he expects them to open "very soon." Gyms reopened in Broward County last week.

On Wednesday, Gimenez moved the county's curfew start to midnight after a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew was issued in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties earlier this week in response to the unrest between police and protesters during demonstrations.

Gimenez said he could change the curfew time again if "conditions change," adding beaches would remain closed as long as the curfew was in place.

Gimenez said he had no problem with a civilian review panel for the Miami-Dade Police Department - a move that came after NBC 6 Investigators sent the county video that shows Ariel Alfaro being forcefully arrested by officers from the department this weekend.

The mayor had previously said he would’ve supported the panel if each of the 13 commissioners got to appoint one member to it, among other things.

Police Department Director Freddy Ramirez said they are investigating the video, adding any discipline would be done in a "responsible" manner.

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