MIAMI (WSVN) - As the coronavirus pandemic has led to restaurant closures and other restrictions, hospitality workers across South Florida continue their tireless efforts to keep their head above water during this time of uncertainty.
At first, restaurants like Bakan in Wynwood were forced to close. Then they had to adapt to new guidelines in the fight against COVID-19.
“We do want everybody to be safe,” said German Barchietto, the manager at Bakan.
Through it all, restaurant owners have had to cook up ways to keep their businesses afloat.
“Everything is with the proper separation, the six feet and everything else, washing hands, using gloves, masks all the time.”
7News’ interview with Barchietto on Sunday comes days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a significant change for the industry: a restaurant employee who tests positive for the virus can now go back to work after 10 days without symptoms.
Before, they had to test negative for COVID-19 twice.
“The problem with demanding a negative test is these PCR tests will pick up just particles. It could be dead virus,” said DeSantis.
“Thankfully, we haven’t had any infections in our staff, but if it does happen, we’ll do the proper procedure,” said Barchietto.
The latest numbers suggest new daily cases appear to be leveling off in the Sunshine State.
Sunday morning, the Florida Department of Health reported 6,229 new coronavirus infections in the state. Of these cases, 1,244 are in Miami-Dade County, 654 are in Broward and 12 are in Monroe.
South Florida has also moved into a new phase of testing. Two of the largest sites in Miami-Dade — Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and Marlins Park in Miami — are now offering results in as little as 15 minutes.
The antigen tests are reserved for people between 5 and 17 years old, seniors 65 or older and anyone with symptoms.
“We’re all seeing downward trends,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
Gimenez and Broward Mayor Dale Holness have pointed to lower positivity rates and lower hospitalizations to show the region is moving in the right direction.
“We are in positive trends for the spread of COVID-19 in Broward County,” said Holness.
In a tweet, Gimenez wrote in part, “Our 14-day rolling average is down to a 15.2% positivity rate … thank you for helping Miami-Dade County stay safe.”
It’s a trend that South Floridians hope will continue.
“Every step that we take forward to getting back to normal, it makes us very happy,” said Barchietto.
But on Saturday, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber warned that people are not in the clear just yet.
“We’re doing better, but we’re still not doing well,” he said. “The surest way to bring this virus back in an upswing is to declare victory early.”
Officials said appointments are required to take the rapid tests in Miami-Dade County. For more information about testing locations, click here. For Broward County, click here.
Anyone with questions and concerns about the coronavirus can call the Florida Department of Health’s 24-hour hotline at 1-866-779-6121.
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