Mayor Gimenez Hints At Miami Bars Possibly Reopening After Protests

Miami bar owners may be getting some news regarding COVID-19 restrictions soon, according to NBC Miami on Wednesday (September 16).

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he is looking at easing more restrictions during a Miami-Dade Commission meeting about the pandemic.

The mayor noted recent COVID-19 data in the county for his reasoning.

“This is the first time that we have had less than 500 people hospitalized... It may be a matter of certain bars staying open with restrictions like restaurants where there could be dining at tables," Gimenez said.

This comes after South Florida bar owners protested Sunday about their businesses staying closed while other bars in Florida got the green light from Gov. Ron DeSantis to reopen on Monday (September 14).

Other businesses were allowed to reopen on Monday with restrictions and limited capacity, including salons, movie theaters, restaurants and gyms.

The county's curfew now starts at 11 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. to help restaurants, according to Gimenez.

With all these reopenings, the mayor cautioned people to "not let their guard down."

“Continue to practice social distancing and wash your hands and keep an eye on young people,” he said, adding that home is the "top place" to get infected with COVID-19.

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