Are you celebrating the holidays in South Beach this year?
COVID-19 has changed a lot of things and sometimes it can be difficult to keep track of what is open, what is closed and what the “new normal” looks like.
Here’s a guide to help you enjoy life in Miami Beach with your mask on:
Does Miami Beach have a curfew? What about a mask mandate?
Masked and exposed people walk down Ocean Drive on Labor Day weekend in Miami Beach on Saturday, September 5, 2020. Daniel A. Varela [email protected]
Yes, it does. Entire Miami-Dade County is closed from midnight to 6 a.m. every day, including South Beach, Wynwood, Downtown Miami, and Little Havana.
You can stay outside until 1 a.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the easing of the curfew on Thursday, saying the police will not stop people from going home after 1 a.m., but will instead ” Keeping an eye out”.
The curfew easing comes about a week after Miami Beach officials asked the county to postpone the city’s curfew for Christmas Eve and New Year’s weekend.
When it comes to masks, everyone in public must wear one both indoors and outdoors to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. A nationwide mask mandate still exists. Exceptions are children up to 2 years of age or people who may have difficulty breathing due to a chronic pre-existing health condition.
You can be fined for not wearing a mask, but you do not have to pay for it immediately. Officials will have to wait until Governor Ron DeSantis’ order to suspend fines on masks, among other things, expires before they can collect the money.
In Miami Beach, the police will only issue a quote if the violator refuses to wear a mask that he provides them with. The quotes will be fined $ 50 by DeSantis after the order expires (date still undetermined). The police will enforce the mask mandate in the city’s business corridors.
Are the beaches open? What about clubs and bars?
Noah, 6, and his sister Chloe, 4, fly kites while enjoying the cool weather on South Pointe Beach on Thursday, December 10, 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. DAVID SANTIAGO [email protected]
Yes. Beaches, clubs and bars are open. As are parks and other recreational facilities in Miami-Dade such as cinemas, bowling alleys, and gyms.
But nothing looks like it used to.
Miami-Dade nightclubs, including Miami Beach, require masks to be worn on the dance floor. Sitting at the bar is prohibited.
And when you go to the beach make sure you have a mask with you. While beaches and parks are open for limited recreational activities like swimming and running, you still need to be at least three feet from others. You must also wear a mask when you are not in the water.
If there is a specific location that you want to visit, call ahead to see if they are open and if their opening hours have changed. Mango’s Tropical Cafe, for example, a staple in South Beach for nearly 30 years, will remain closed during the pandemic.
Are Miami Beach restaurants open for indoor dining?
Pink Taco on Ocean Drive has tables set up on the street, like many restaurants in South Beach. Al Diaz / Miami Herald
Yes, all Miami-Dade restaurants are open for takeout, delivery, and indoor dining. Many restaurants also offer al fresco dining.
However, there are still some limitations. A maximum of six people can sit together at one table – 10 if you live together. As it is holiday season, call the restaurant in advance to see if reservations are required.
Getting around Miami Beach: trolleys, parking, and how much does it cost?
North Beach Trolley from Miami Beach. Joey Flechas [email protected]
Miami Beach’s free trolley doesn’t run during the pandemic, but you can hail a cab, Uber, or Lyft. You can also take a Metrobus that has tariffs suspended and has routes that can take you around the county. Check the routes at https://www.miamidade.gov/transportation-publicworks/routes.asp
For those of you who want to drive, Miami Beach has lots of garages, lots and metering points. Fair warning: Parking can get tricky, especially along Ocean Drive on vacation. Valet parking is also limited in the city during the pandemic.
Garages are a great option if you hate parallel parking or don’t want to worry about your meter running out. It could even be cheaper.
According to the city, the Parkmobile app is the only payment option for parking during the pandemic. All public garages generally have a daily minimum price of $ 2 and a daily maximum price of $ 20. Some garages have a weekend / event flat rate of $ 15. The parking garage on 42nd Street is the exception with a maximum daily rate of $ 8.
Parking meter parking fees range from USD 1 per hour to USD 4 per hour, depending on the zone. According to the City of Miami Beach website, there is no charge for ADA-accessible parking at all street meters, lots, and garages.
A family in masks, which are mandatory in Miami-Dade County, walks down Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. Fabian Osorio For the Miami Herald
If you want to visit Lincoln Road, there are three public parking garages and 11 public parking lots within walking distance. Each lot is charged $ 2 per hour, payable using the ParkMobile app.
17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue garages are the closest to the Lincoln Road mall and have no maximum time limit.
Pro tip: Miami Beach has a free “ParkMe” app (available for iPhone and Android) that you can use to find parking spaces near your destination. The app shows you the availability of parking spaces in selected properties and garages as well as real-time information, including prices.
It also has a tariff calculator feature that can help you estimate how much it will cost to park in a given location. All you have to do is choose the location and indicate how many hours you expect to be in town.
Miami Beach Hotels and Airbnbs: How Will COVID-19 Rules Change My Stay?
Each hotel has different policies, but there are some standard COVID-19 rules that must be followed in Miami-Dade County.
For example, only service animals are allowed to stay in a hotel room, even if the hotel is animal-friendly. All guests must also wear a mask during their stay, except in their hotel room, and be at least three feet away from others.
This also applies when checking in in the lobby, when using the elevator and in any other “common room”. You must also wear a mask in “public areas” outside of the hotel when social distancing is not an option. Employees must wear a mask at all times.
Staying at an Airbnb will look different too.
Just like in hotels, Airbnb says everyone must wear a mask, including the host, and always be at least three feet away from others. The only exception is when everyone in the room is part of the same reservation.
Masks and social distancing are required at all times during the Airbnb experiences. These are interactive in-person activities that you can book anywhere in Florida, including Miami Beach.
Airbnb has also banned all parties and events, including baby showers and birthday parties. Exceptions are boutique hotels and other traditional eateries listed on the platform.
The Miami Herald employee Martin Vassolo contributed to this report.
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There’s never a dull moment in Florida – and Michelle is a Real Time / Breaking News reporter for the Miami Herald. She graduated with Honors from Florida International University where she served as Editor-in-Chief of Student Media PantherNOW. She previously worked as a news writer for WSVN Channel 7 and is currently a Poynter Koch Media and Journalism Fellow.
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