MIAMI _ Miami-Dade County has cleared the Miami Heat to resume workouts at AmericanAirlines Arena, with the decision on such sessions now resting with the team.
In issuing Amendment 2 to Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 15-20, the county noted:
"Effective as of 6:00 p.m. on May 8, 2020, Emergency Order 15-20 is amended so as not to preclude the use of facilities owned or leased by a professional sports franchise, solely by employees of such franchise for training purposes; however, prior to and as a precondition of engaging in such training, the franchise shall submit to and have approved by the County a plan addressing the franchise's approach to mitigating COVID-19 risk at the facility through social distancing, periodic testing, or both."
The NBA recently put such a policy into place, allowing teams to re-open training facilities as allowed per local ordinance. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers began such sessions Friday, the first day allowed by the NBA since the league's mid-March shutdown, with several other teams expected to follow this week.
The Heat have begun testing those who would work during the sessions, but unlike the Orlando Magic, do not have local clearance to utilize formal COVID-19 tests, according to a source familiar with the team's situation.
The Heat practice on a separate court east of the main bowl at AmericanAirlines Arena, which is owned by the county and operated by the team. The facility remains closed to the general public.
The Heat's sessions are expected to begin as soon as Wednesday, with the team continuing with meetings in advance of a finalized plan.
Under NBA guidelines:
_ Players are subject to temperature tests and other screenings prior to being allowed entrance.
_ No more than four players are permitted at a facility at any one time, each working individually at a separate basket, with a sanitized ball provided for the use of each individual. (The Heat's practice court has seven baskets.)
_ No head coaches allowed during the sessions.
_ Group activity remains prohibited, including practices or scrimmages.
_ Those assisting, except for training and medical staff, must be spaced at least 12 feet from participating players, wearing gloves and masks.
_ Players must wear masks except at times other than working out.
_ The team must designate a person in charge of sanitation and disinfection of the facility. That responsibility is expected to fall to long-time trainer Jay Sabol, although the Heat have not announced that formal designation.
The full wording of the Miami-Dade statute and the amendment that provides Heat clearance:
"WHEREAS, section 252.38(3)(a), Florida Statutes, gives political subdivisions the authority to declare and enact a State of Local Emergency for a period of up to seven days, thereby waiving the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivision by law; and
"WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the Governor of Florida issued Executive Order Number 20-51, directing the State Health Officer and Surgeon General to declare a Public Health Emergency due to the discovery of COVID-19/novel Coronavirus in Florida; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Governor of Florida issued Executive Order Number 20-52, declaring a State of Emergency for the State of Florida related to COVID-19/novel Coronavirus; and
"WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, the County Mayor declared a State of Emergency for all of Miami-Dade County; and
"WHEREAS, COVID-19/novel Coronavirus poses a health risk to Miami-Dade County residents, particularly elderly residents and those who are immunosuppressed or otherwise have high-risk medical conditions; and
"WHEREAS, minimization of social contact is necessary to avoid risk of COVID-19 infection for the residents of the County; and
"WHEREAS, the County previously issued Emergency Order closing various public and private athletic facilities; and
"WHEREAS, various professional sports associations and leagues may be able to safely utilize their facilities, pursuant to testing and social distancing guidelines such leagues may promulgate,
"THEREFORE, as County Mayor of Miami-Dade County, I hereby order:
1. All pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, and gymnasiums, whether of a commercial or non-commercial nature, are closed for all purposes. Other common use amenities may be open to the extent use of such amenities is consistent with Emergency Order 21-20. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this order does not apply to any pool, hot tub, tennis court, basketball court, fitness center, gymnasium or other amenity located: (a) on a single family residential lot, or, (b) at any townhouse, duplex, or villa, and which is for the exclusive recreational or leisure use of the inhabitants of such individual dwelling unit. >> Nothing contained herein shall preclude the use of facilities owned or leased by a professional sports franchise, solely by employees of such franchise for training purposes; however, prior to and as a precondition of engaging in such training, the franchise shall submit to and have approved by the County a plan addressing the franchise's approach to mitigating COVID-19 risk at the facility through social distancing, periodic testing, or both.
2. This order supersedes Emergency Orders 03-20, 06-20, and 09-20 to the extent inconsistent herewith.
3. This order shall be effective as of 6:00 p.m. on May 8, 2020.
4. This order shall expire upon the expiration of the existing Miami-Dade County State of Local Emergency, except that if such State of Local Emergency is extended, this order shall also be deemed to extend for the duration of such extension. This order may be cancelled earlier by action of the County Mayor.
5. This order shall be provided to all appropriate media consistent with the requirements of section 8B-7(2)(n) of the Code of Miami-Dade County."
