'We Have To Protect People,' Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava Hopes Businesses Will Follow CDC Mask Recommendations
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Wednesday that masks are now required to be worn inside county-owned buildings, on Thursday she said her hope is for businesses to follow suit.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench spoke to Miami business owners to see how they will be dealing with CDC recommendations of mask use indoors.
Some business owners told D'Oench they are on the verge of changing their policies on requiring masks for customers and employees.
Kim Coe, who has owned Kim's Valet Cleaners on Biscayne Boulevard since 1985, said "We are going to put a sign on our front door saying masks are required. We are afraid that someone might be walking in here who was not vaccinated. I am worried about my customers. This affects everyone and every business."
Effective immediately, masks will be required again at all indoor Miami-Dade County facilities for employees & for visitors.
On Thursday morning, while wearing a mask, Mayor Levine Cava was emphatic in that she has the authority to protect people, and she now hopes businesses will follow suit.
"I hope businesses will do as they have done before and take the steps they need to keep their employees and clientele safe. We are really in a new phase of this pandemic and it has not gone away, and it is really on us to protect ourselves and our loved ones," said the mayor.
She also said, "We are very concerned about the spike in cases and the positivity rate being above 10 percent and the Delta Variant spreading like wildfire. We know if we continue with the new variant, people will get ill and pass it on to others. I believe I have the authority to protect people. I think the message to get out is even if you are vaccinated we need to go back to masks. We have got to socially distance. If you are sick stay home and if you are exposed get tested."
In Miami Beach, Mayor Dan Gelber had some strong words, "We are going to follow CDC recommendations, and if you're coming into city hall as an employee or a visitor or any of our city offices throughout the city, you need to wear a mask. Even if you are vaccinated. We have a surge here that is really big. The problem is that people are not getting vaccinated and this delta variant is moving around."
Meanwhile school superintendent Alberto Carvalho said that he will be making a decision on masks and school at least two weeks before classes resume on August 23, masks will be required on school buses, and there is a series of protocols on a number of issues.
There will be social distancing in cafeterias and other dining venues and heightened cleaning at schools and improved air technology. The quarantine process will focus on individuals directly impacted by potential exposure. All schools will have a health screening room.
Carvalho said, "Every school will have the presence of a medical professional, an EMT, or a certified nurse."
He also had strong words about face masks.
He said "We are not going to allow the politics of this issue to interfere with our rational and timely decision. We don't want to be rushed into a decision where time is on our side.
Click here to see a complete list of places where you can get tested for the coronavirus.