MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Gyms and fitness centers in Miami-Dade County finally began reopening their doors Monday and people couldn’t wait to get that first indoor workout in.
“(It’s) exciting after so many months of just from couch to couch, it’s good to get some exercise in,” Planet Fitness member Nathalie Arencibia said.
Some members of the Hialeah Planet Fitness were in right at 6 a.m. when the doors opened with new changes in place.
“Cleaning every 20 minutes, temperature when you come in,” Planet Fitness member Jimmy Machado said.
Fitness centers can now operate at 75-percent capacity, with 10-feet social distancing between people and all equipment must be heavily sanitized.
Miami Beach also expanded its reopening order to allow skate parks and racquetball courts are open Monday.
Besides the gyms, Miami-Dade County is also opening vacation rentals for groups of 10 people or fewer. Summer camps can also resume operations, and beaches will reopen in the county on Wednesday.
The beaches were supposed to open June 1, but that was postponed when the county instituted a curfew to prevent issues with protests late at night. That curfew was lifted Monday.
Theaters, bars, nightclubs and lounges remain closed for the time being.
Certain businesses also reopen
Closed for more than two months, The Brow Effect, a popular permanent makeup salon in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, has reopened its doors.
“We have had to pay our bills, and with our doors closed, just scared not knowing if we would be able to open eventually,” said owner Lisandra Rodriguez.
Shops like this one are already heavily regulated by the health department and follow strict sanitary and inspection rules.
“Cosmetology salons don’t have to do that at all. So for us not to be let open before them is just appalling,” Rodriguez said.
Now they’re just hoping it’s a fast recovery, and bookings are already strong.
In Coconut Grove, Noel Garcia was getting ready to reopen his body piercing shop Tuesday.
For safety issues, he won’t be doing facial piercings or anything that involves the client taking off his or her mask.
“Door closed. One customer at a time. Strictly appointment,” he said, explaining the new safety procedures.
After 20 years at this location and 30 years in the piercing business, he’s just glad to be back.
See Miami-Dade’s full “New Normal” reopening plan and guidelines below or by clicking here: