Essential

More businesses in Miami-Dade ordered shut, limiting work to ‘essential’ need

By Melinda E. Rakowski 1 month ago

Note: The Miami Herald and McClatchy news sites have lifted the paywall on our websites for this developing story, providing critical information to readers. To support vital reporting such as this, please consider a digital subscription.

Nail salons, golf courses, offices, trampoline parks, casinos and social clubs were among the countless gathering spots ordered to close by 9 p.m. Thursday by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez in a mass shutdown except for “essential” services during the coronavirus crisis.

The order signed at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and released later in the morning with a video address contains a string of business categories allowed to remain open. They include construction sites, engineering firms, pet-supply stores, pool and landscaping services, and childcare if administered to groups of 10 or fewer.

The order also included exemptions for grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and other businesses considered vital to daily life. That includes all government buildings, coin

… Read More

These ‘essential’ stores, businesses will stay open during Miami’s coronavirus shutdown

By Melinda E. Rakowski 1 month ago

Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks will not be affected by Miami-Dade County’s decision to close down hundreds of stores and businesses to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The order also will not affect police, fire-rescue or dozens of other essential stores and services, including businesses that have the capability of interacting with customers solely by telephone or the Internet.

Here are some of the essential businesses and service allowed to stay open. Remember to call ahead for hours of operation as some stores and businesses might have limited hours during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Health, medicine and therapy

Hospitals, urgent care centers and doctor offices remain open. File photo.
Hospitals, urgent care centers and doctor offices remain open. File photo.

▪ Hospitals and urgent care centers

▪ Pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens

▪ Doctors and dentists’ offices

▪ Other healthcare providers, including clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapists, mental health professionals, psychiatrists and therapists.

Food

Grocery stores, food banks and pet stores will remain open. File photo.
Grocery stores,
… Read More

Transportation, Logistics Workers Deemed Essential During Coronavirus Crisis

By Melinda E. Rakowski 1 month ago

The transportation industry is critical for the movement of goods. But are all employees working for transportation and logistics companies “essential” during these unprecedented times of mandatory quarantines?
New York joined California on Friday morning in ordering all nonessential workers to stay home.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
CISA Director Christopher Krebs said in a memorandum issued Thursday that the list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers was developed to provide guidance to state and local governments.
“As state and local communities consider COVID-19-related restrictions, CISA is offering this list to assist prioritizing activities related to continuity of operations and incident response, including the appropriate movement of critical infrastructure workers within and between jurisdictions,” Krebs said.
The memorandum said essential industries “represent, but are not necessarily limited to, medical and health care, telecommunications,

… Read More