Miami-Dade Condo Pools Ordered Closed For Coronavirus

MIAMI, FL — All condominium and apartment swimming pools in Miami-Dade County were ordered shut down Tuesday as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in what has become the epicenter of Florida's health crisis along with nearby Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The order, which was signed Tuesday by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, also closes hot tubs, golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts, fitness centers, gyms and other common-use amenities, including both commercial and noncommercial facilities.

"Unfortunately, some people are not taking this seriously, and they are not practicing social distancing," Gimenez said in a video message. "In addition, I want to stress that golf courses that I ordered closed cannot turn into parks. Apparently there are large groups of people gathering at golf courses with sidewalk access in Coral Gables and other places."

Gimenez urged residents to act as if everyone they encounter is carrying the virus.

"This also means that when you go grocery shopping or to the pharmacy you shouldn't take a carload of people with you," Gimenez said. "One or two people going to the store from one household should be more than enough."

The order does not apply to home swimming pools, basketball courts, tennis courts or recreational amenities that are solely intended for the use of one home.

Yellow tape has been warning residents to stay out of the sparkling swimming pool at one large condominium complex in Sunny Isles Beach for more than a week as other condominiums elsewhere in the county are likely to use similar methods to comply with the order..

In nearby Miami Beach, which is also part of Miami-Dade County, city officials released an expanded state of emergency order Tuesday.

In addition to the restrictions on community pools and amenities, Miami Beach ordered essential retail and commercial establishments, including restaurants that provide takeout and delivery services, to limit maximum capacities by 50 percent and provide hand sanitizer for customers and employees subject to availability.

Essential businesses will also be required to provide disinfectant wipes at points of entry, cash registers and other "appropriate locations" or to designate staff to disinfect carts, shopping baskets, point of sale terminals and other areas as frequently as possible.

The Miami beach order also orders all salad bars and other self-serve food stations to close while putting a stop to the practice of giving away free samples and tastings.