The Florida Keys Are Reopening to Tourists Starting June 1

A trip to the Florida Keys might actually be a possibility this summer.

© Getty Images/iStockphoto Hotels, motels, vacation rentals, marinas, RV parks, and timeshares and some of the business set to open.

Starting June 1, hotels and other accommodations will be open for tourists in Monroe County, Florida, which encompasses the collection of islands, U.S. News reported.

Businesses set to open include hotels, motels, vacation rentals, marinas, RV parks, and timeshares, according to a statement from Monroe County.

Monroe County has been closed to visitors for the last two months, since March 22, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, according to U.S. News. Most hotels, restaurants, beaches, and other public places were closed across the country in accordance with different states’ stay-at-home and lockdown orders.

Lockdown orders put a particular strain on many businesses across the country, especially for those in the hospitality industry like hotels and restaurants.

Though some people may consider opening up certain places to tourists a bit risky, officials from Monroe County have stated that all establishments will be operating at only 50 percent capacity in order to observe safe social distancing guidelines.

In addition, the county will be eliminating checkpoints on U.S. 1 and State Road 905 in order to allow the opening of lodging accommodations. In order to continue to combat the spread of coronavirus in the state, Monroe County stated that this new order is “subject to revision based on data regarding the prevalence of the virus within Monroe County, increased testing and contact tracing protocols, and the efforts in the adjacent counties to continue to control transmission of the virus.” Tourists and locals are still encouraged to practice social distancing and wearing masks while in public.

© Provided by Travel + Leisure Joe Raedle/Getty Images An aerial view from a drone shows Monroe County Sheriff deputies as they man a checkpoint on U.S. 1 leading into the Florida Keys on March 27, 2020 in Florida City, Florida. Monroe County administrators made the decision to prohibit tourists and only allow property owners and people who show they legitimately work in the Keys to pass through the roadblocks in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

According to U.S. News, the new order also includes the opening of beaches in the Florida Keys, so taking a trip to enjoy the sun and surf will be possible for tourists out there. Beaches in New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware are also reopening, U.S. News reported.

Tourists may make reservations for accommodations in the Florida Keys immediately, as long as their travel dates occur after June 1.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-florida-keys-are-reopening-to-tourists-starting-june-1/ar-BB14k41U?ocid=spartanntp