Monday, March 16, 2020

Starting tonight, non-essential businesses citywide will be required to close daily by 10 p.m. until further notice. Kitchens can remain open until midnight for delivery only. Businesses excluded from this mandate include: pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, private offices, banks, hotels, hospitals, medical service providers, medical supply stores, hardware stores, gasoline service stations and automotive supply/repair centers.
City-owned parking garages and surface lots citywide will only be open to residents with proof of residency and access card holders. Additionally, an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew is being enforced in the cit y’s entertainment district.
Please be advised that any violation of the aforementioned emergency measures would subject the individual or business entity to criminal penalties.
Park/Beach Closure
Lummus Park and the beaches between 5 to 15 streets will remain closed until further notice.
Sidewalk Cafes
All sidewalk cafes will be required to either reduce their capacity by 50%, or to a maximum of 50 persons, whichever is less.
North Beach CRA Meeting Cancellation
Reminder, the previously scheduled virtual North Beach CRA presentation for this evening will be postponed until further notice.
Building Department
Services are being performed, however slightly modified. Drop-off for plans will be located on the of First Floor of City Hall only. We encourage you to use any online services or email your questions to bpi@miamibeachfl.gov
Code Compliance Department
Effective immediately, Code Compliance walk-ins are closed. Residents or businesses that need assistance should call Code Compliance at 305.673.7555.
Commission Meeting
The upcoming Commission meeting being held on Wednesday, March 18 will be televised on MBTV and streamed live on Facebook, but will not have a Stanley Sutnick hour or public hearing. Commission chambers will be closed to the public. The only items on the agenda will be extending the City Manager’s emergency powers and approving the Consent Agenda with items that are not separated.
The Land Use and Sustainability Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been rescheduled tentatively for Tuesday, March 31. The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee meeting scheduled for Friday, March 20 has been cancelled.
Film Permits
Under the city’s State of Emergency Declaration, all film and photography permits, requested or issued, have been declined or rescinded, effective immediately until further notice.
Impacted Events
For a full list of impacted events, additional information on summer camps and more, please visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus .
The City of Miami Beach remains committed to ensuring the safety and public health of our residents, visitors and local businesses. As the information is changing rapidly pertaining to COVID-19, the administration is conducting daily interdepartmental calls to monitor the progression of novel coronavirus COVID-19 to ensure that we stay informed and prepared to respond if needed. We are also closely following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) as well as the School Board.
Miami Beach continues to take elevated measures to ensure the health and safety of our visitors in our facilities, on the trolleys and in or around Miami Beach. Below is a summary of measures that are currently being implemented by the city.
Precautionary Measures by the City of Miami Beach
We are continuing to ensure our spaces, including youth centers, beachfront restrooms and city facilities are being thoroughly cleaned. This includes the daily effort of wiping down every touch surface such as door handles, elevator push buttons, handrails and recreation equipment. Cleaning contractors are also providing additional training to staff to ensure proper cleaning techniques are utilized.
Recreational Facilities
The Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department will be implementing the following operational changes, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, through Sunday, March 29, 2020 :
  • All recreation centers will be closed
  • All recreation programs will be cancelled (the Playtime Program for registered toddlers will be cancelled effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020)
  • All athletic programs, games, practices and events will be cancelled
  • All Parks and Recreation Department events will be cancelled
  • New venue rentals for park facilities will not be processed during the above period; existing indoor venue rentals will be cancelled
  • All field trips will be cancelled
The Miami Beach Golf Club, Normandy Shores Golf Club, Flamingo Tennis Center, Miami Beach Tennis Center and Flamingo Park and Normandy Isle Park pools will remain open for non-programmed activities .
The above changes are implemented in an abundance of caution as the health and safety of our residents and visitors is of the utmost importance. The operational changes and time periods described herein are subject to change at any moment. As such, you are encouraged to monitor the City’s website, www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavir us
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305.673.7730.
Also as a reminder, all registration for the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department for Summer and Specialty Camp will be be  FULLY ONLINE  without the necessity to visit our facilities. Online Registration is mandatory
In order to ensure that you are ready to register online, registration dates will be changed to the following:
Summer Camp Registration
Summer Camp Registration for MB Residents – April 6, 8:30 AM
Summer Camp Registration for Non-Residents – May 4, 8:30 AM
Specialty Camp Registration
Specialty Camp Registration for MB Residents – April 20, 8:30 AM
Specialty Camp Registration for Non-Residents – May 4, 8:30 AM
Please take this time to login to your account, make sure your information and your child’s information is up to date and your financial aid information is updated, if applicable. Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about registration and this recent implementation. You can also email any questions to  cmbsummer2020@miamibeachfl.gov . We appreciate your understanding on this matter and are looking forward to a fun-filled summer.
Building Department Closure
The Building Department’s North Beach office, located at 962 Normandy Drive, will be closed to the public until further notice, as a precautionary measure. Customers may visit the main office located at City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive. The Building Department accepts permit renewals and extensions via email. Please send your permit applications to   bpi@miamibeachfl.gov
Miami Beach Trolley
In response to the circumstances related to the COVID-19, in addition to standard daily cleaning practices, the City of Miami Beach and its trolley operator, Limousines of South Florida (LSF), have partnered in increasing the frequency of cleaning to help protect passengers from the spread of coronavirus.
In particular, “high touch” areas, including buttons, handholds, pull cords, and rails are being cleaned more frequently. As of today, March 14, 2020, the City and LSF established dedicated stations with personnel sanitizing all trolley vehicles throughout the day.
Moreover, every night, LSF personnel is performing a “deep cleaning” of every Miami Beach trolley vehicle using industrial grade CDC-approved sanitizing products.
  • Based on availability, trolleys may be equipped with hand sanitizing gel or wipes.
  • When there is an unsanitary condition reported, it is standard practice for LSF to take the vehicle out of service immediately for cleaning and disinfecting.
Seniors are encouraged to limit their trolley usage to adhere to the CDC’s recommendations to practice social distancing.
Business Damage Survey
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.
The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online here . Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Surveys submitted by small businesses can be used to access the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, made available for COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com .
Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at  SBA.gov/Disaster . Small business grant opportunities are also available through the Mom and Pop Small Business Grants through the Miami-Dade County Commissioner Higgins office, more information here .
Miami-Dade County Special Transportation Service (STS)
For elderly and those with special needs, the County offers an alternative mode of transportation that offers door-to-door transportation service from the main entrance of pick-up to the main entrance of drop-off locations. Please note that you MUST be eligible for these services in order to utilize them.
The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be used throughout Miami-Dade County ONLY for those that are eligible. Visit the County’s website and learn more about the eligibility requirements.
Miami-Dade County Polling Locations
The Elections Department is providing hand sanitizer at all Early Voting and Election Day locations in Miami-Dade County. Additionally, there are bathrooms at every polling place for hand washing.
 At this time, elections will continue as scheduled per the State of Florida Division of Elections. On Election Day there will be a modification to the polling location at 200 Alton Road, Rebecca Towers. This location will continue to serve the voters who live in Rebecca Towers at this site and will relocate those voters who do not to another location – South Pointe Elementary School. Signage will be posted at Rebecca Towers informing voters of this change.
Seniors and Special Needs Community
All senior centers will be closed effective Monday, March 16 . Any seniors that are currently registered in a senior meals program will be served meals by their respective providers based on their specific plans.
  •  Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center delivered meals today (3/13) for one week and will resume direct deliveries the following week based on their weekly schedule
  • Jewish Community Services will begin delivering directly to homes on Tuesday
  • UNIDAD will supply a weeks supply of shelf stable meals on Monday outside of the center and thereafter they will begin delivering a week supply directly to homes based on the scheduled given when food is picked up on Monday.
Many pharmacies are allowing for free deliveries of prescriptions. We recommend stocking up on any needed prescriptions now. Click HERE for information on pharmacies in English and Spanish.
It remains important that the elderly and vulnerable populations take proper precautions at this time. The city is working with our elderly housing and congregant meal sites to help disseminate the most current and relevant health information to our seniors. According to the CDC, the following people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness:
  • Older adults
  • People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease
If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease such as:
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home  as much as possible.
Prevention Starts With You
The CDC urges everyone to do their part to help during this emerging public health threat, this includes:
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
  • Take personal responsibility. If you are sick with a fever, cough or viral symptoms, please stay away from others, including the work environment and crowded area
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, you can learn more about prevention and treatment by visiting the CDC website .
Frequently Asked Question Per the CDC
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
People are thought to be the most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
For more information visit the CDC webpage .
Stay Informed
For updated information on the city’s efforts, please visit: www.MiamiBeachFl.gov/coronavirus . We will also be posting updated messages via email , Nextdoor , Facebook or Twitter.