Yes, you can get a lap dance during the age of coronavirus

Picture: Anshu A/Unsplash

Picture: Anshu A/Unsplash

Published Jul 8, 2020

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Miami - Burning question answered.

Yes, you can get a lap dance during the age of coronavirus.

If you feel so inclined to pop in to one of a handful or so strip

clubs that have reopened in South Florida, this service is currently

being offered.

While a lap dance may not seem to be an activity that adheres to

social distancing, done, um, properly, it is currently allowed.

Deputy Mayor/Budget Director Jennifer Moon says the dancers must suit

up accordingly, as in wear proper PPE such as a mask or facial shield

as well as gloves. Clients must wear masks as well.

The guidelines for a lap dance are the same ones applied to getting a

massage, says Moon.

In June, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced massage parlours,

as well as gyms, tattoo places and dance studios could reopen after

months of a coronavirus shutdown.

A week or so later, strip clubs entered into the equation. Moon says

that a handful of owners submitted safety plans to the county that

were approved, including ONE Gentlemen's Club, The Body, Goldfinger,

Bare Necessity, Miami Divas and Booby Trap.

So called adult-entertainment plans reviewed by the Miami Herald show

that the clubs, operating at limited, 50 per cent capacity, will now

feature temperature checks at the door, hand-sanitizing stations

throughout, proper signage/markings, frequent cleanings and mandatory

masks for all.

Booby Trap's proposal, for example, says the club will "enforce the

limitations on gatherings within the premises by not allowing any

congregating of customers and/or staff that exceed the applicable

limits and by adhering to restaurant seating regulations."

Because bars are not able to open yet, BT management is sitting

people at tables six feet apart with a maximum of four per party.

Signs will be placed at the bathrooms and front entrance so you know

how far to stand back.

"Staff will wear masks at all times and guests will be required to

enter the premises with a mask and to only remove their mask while

consuming food and drinks at their tables," the plan continues,

adding "high touch points" will go through frequent cleanings.

As for bathrooms, expect wait times for entry as well as stalls and

sinks to be cordoned off. Attendants will be on hand to ensure six

feet separation. Water fountains are a no-no, and you can't get water

at the bar, because bars are not open, period.

So how's the grand reopening process going so far?

"Inspectors are actually going in and checking and making sure people

are following the rules," said Moon. "They're making sure rules are

followed with PPE, cleanings, all of it."

The official admitted that a lap dance is intimate, but until a

clubgoer or employee gets Covid-19 and a venue is shut down,

stripping is happening.

"Close contact is permitted if both the dancer and the person are

wearing the right PPE," she said. "It's the same as what is required

for someone who is giving a massage. These business owners are very

aware of what the guidelines are. They send me a plan and we have

many conversations back and forth. And they know if there is a

violation, they will be shut down."

While this sounds surreal in the Covid-19 era, another burning

question remains: Will the people come?

A promoter who wished not to be identified said that the thrill of

going to strip clubs has faded, and he really doesn't know when or if

the popular pastime can be a thing under the current circumstances.

"I know a guy who used to drop a mortgage at the clubs. But these

days it has a different vibe. You're there for the beauty, you don't

want to see half a face. The scene has definitely changed."

dpa

Related Topics:

coronavirus