Miami Herald leaves Doral headquarters to work remotely due to COVID-19
DORAL, FL – Miami Herald leaves Doral headquarters to work remotely due to the economic impact of the coronavirus.
The decision will be effective in August when all employees at the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald will begin working from home up until the end of the year. Most of the staff has been working remotely since March when the coronavirus pandemic started in the U.S.
“The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated our organization’s ability to work remotely,” Aminda Marqués González, the president, publisher and executive editor of both newspapers, wrote in a statement to readers on the paper’s website Tuesday morning.
Marqués added that in between the pandemic and the nationwide protests that took place after George Floyd’s death, the newspaper has been able to be present in every important moment thanks to technology, communication tools and “the hard work of our dedicated staff.”
McClatchy, which publishes the Miami Herald and other papers throughout the U.S., filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Prior to that, McClatchy closed the Miami plant which printed the Herald. Since April, South Florida Sun Sentinel has been printing the Herald’s publications.
“As the business model in our industry continues to change, and due to the economic impact of the coronavirus, we continue to face severe financial headwinds,” said Marqués González.
“In this move, we are investing in people over place to ensure our readers receive the level of coverage and accountability throughout South Florida they expect each day from our talented journalists.”
Miami Herald leaves Doral headquarters in the middle of a pandemic that has forced many businesses throughout the state and nation to readapt their operations in a safely manner while the the country begins a phased reopening. The newspaper might return to a traditional office space in 2021.
“We know that the office space of today is not what the office space will be for tomorrow as it relates to social distancing and keeping our employees safe,” Marqués wrote.
“For that reason, Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald employees will continue to work remotely through the end of the year. After the New Year, once the commercial real estate industry has sorted itself out with regard to new standards and approaches, we will find a new, centralized home. We will continue to keep the lines of communication open with our readers, and will share those plans as we get closer to our move.”
The newspaper moved to 3511 NW 91st Ave. in Doral from its downtown Miami headquarters in 2013.