coronavirus

Miami-Dade Reverses Course, Will Allow Gyms and Fitness Centers to Stay Open

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A day after ordering gyms to close in the county, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez reversed course, saying fitness centers can stay open with certain safety precautions in place.

Gimenez announced the decision on Twitter after a meeting with medical experts and the county's Wellness Group.

Gyms and fitness centers can remain open but anyone doing activities inside must wear a mask, while people outside must stay 10 feet apart, Gimenez said.

Gimenez announced a number of closures on Monday, including closing restaurants to indoor dining, as well as closing ballrooms, banquet facilities, party venues and short-term vacation rentals.

The closures were in response to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the county, weeks after reopenings began.

A day after ordering gyms to close in the county, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez reversed course, saying fitness centers can stay open with certain safety precautions in place. NBC 6's Alyssa Hyman reports.

Guido Trinidad who owns the Peak 360 gym in South Miami, said he was grateful for the reversal.

"I'm very grateful that they allowed us to collaborate and meet and allow us to work together as a group instead of just shutting us down," Trinidad said Tuesday. "At this moment I'm grateful that we have a solution to stay open. Is it ideal? No, but it's definitely better than being closed or fighting to stay open."

The executive order, signed by Gimenez on Tuesday night, further explained that on-site dining at restaurants and cafeterias will be limited to outdoor service only between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day. Read the full order here.

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