Eating out at a restaurant is going to be very different in the coming weeks. So will shopping. And not every business will be open. It’s going to be a whole new normal Mon., May 18, when governor Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home order is lifted for Miami-Dade and Broward counties, allowing them to move to the first phase of getting back to business after the COVID-19 pandemic closings. Over the next few weeks, look for restaurants to reopen with more outdoor seating if possible to allow physical distancing.
In general, South Florida restaurants will have to abide by new cleaning and sanitizing protocols and limits on occupancy. Diners will have to wear masks unless they’re seated at the table. County guidelines follow, but some cities may institute their own opening dates. Not all restaurants will reopen; some may continue only takeout and delivery.
The New Normal
In Miami-Dade, Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced the The New Normal for businesses. Restaurants must follow protocols that include cleaning before opening and providing handwashing stations, floor markings for 6-foot distancing, and monitoring workers’ health. Indoor restaurants are limited to 50 percent occupancy with 6-foot seating. All bar counters must be closed to seating. Tables are limited to 4 people, or up to 6 from the same household. Restaurants can open up outdoor dining areas, including using parking areas, without special permitting if they abide by the rules.
The Miami Eats program promotes restaurants offering delivery and/or takeout menus to encourage locals to enjoy Greater Miami and the Beaches’ dining options while at home. The website serves as a hub for people to search more than 1,000 restaurants by location, cuisine type and price point.
Stand Up, Miami
City of Miami’s plan, called Stand Up, Miami, starts its first reopening phase May 20, which includes city parks and retail, but does not include restaurants. They’re covered under phase 1b, which begins on May 27.
Since late March, the Florida Keys have been closed since late March to non-residents who don’t work in the Keys. Since May 4, restaurants have been allowed to open at 25 percent capacity. The Keys will reopen to visitors June 1 and allow hotels to take guests at 50 percent occupancy.
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Under Broward County’s program, restaurants can open for on-premise dining at 50 percent capacity, with strict cleaning and service protocols in place. Retail, museums and some attractions can also reopen for business.
When restaurants were ordered to close for the pandemic, many switched to a takeout and pickup/delivery model to keep at least some of their staff working. Now, they can open under the new guidelines, but there are financial risks since they’ll be serving only a portion of their occupancy while having to maintain overhead.
Chef Angelo Elia, who owns eight restaurants from Aventura to Delray Beach, is getting ready to open his Broward and Miami-Dade locations. Casa D’Angelo in Aventura and Fort Lauderdale; Angelo Elia Pizza, Bar & Tapas in Fort Lauderdale, Weston and Coral Springs; and Angelo Elia the Bakery Bar in Fort Lauderdale.
“For next year, restaurants are going to be completely changed,” he says. “We have to adapt to a new lifestyle. People want to come back to eat. So we are doing the best we can do to welcome guests back.”
To open, the restaurants must take extra cleaning precautions. Among the safety measures Elia is using is a filtration unit that cleans the air every four hours. They’ll be using paper menus, masks and gloves for food service. But he says they will also continue offering takeout services – otherwise, he says, it will be impossible to survive.
“I’ve never seen like this in my life – it’s very difficult,” says Elia, who’s been in business for 25 years and had to let go many of his 460 employees. “It’s going to be a challenge for the next few months.“
These are some of the restaurants reopening for business under new guidelines, including operating at 50 percent...
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