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Forget “back to normal” for now. It will be a while before South Florida can return to a time when anyone could go to a restaurant or a bar. Or visit a family member in a nursing home, or catch a movie or concert — not to mention attend a Marlins, Dolphins, Heat or Panthers game.
The state’s official “Safe, Smart, Step-by-Step” reopening recommendations were officially released Thursday, but while much of Florida will begin entering the plan’s first phase this week, Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade will largely remain under quarantine — give or take the partial reopening of parks, golf courses and marinas.
Unlike the rest of the state, Broward and its neighboring counties won’t be entering phase one until mid-May or later, said Broward County Mayor Dale C. Holness, who was on the governor’s committee that developed the reopening plan.
“People’s lives and livelihoods are being devastated every day economically,” said Holness, emphasizing the need to balance reopening with public health. “We have to be prudent in our decision-making.”
Rafael Olmeda for SPJ Vice President 