PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

Public Announcement: Village of Key Biscayne Navigating Through COVID-19–As a Village

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

COVID-19 – Your Wednesday Morning Update

Good Morning, VKB Residents,

As we continue to navigate COVID-19 as a Village, the COVID-19 incident intensifies and there are two very important things we want you to know:

1. The Village of Key Biscayne is here for the island community in this time of need, and
2. The Village of Key Biscayne will not stop delivering efficient government you can count on.

We know this is a difficult and unsettling time–we are in this together, as one Village family. If you have questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, please contact the Village of Key Biscayne at response@keybiscayne.fl.gov.

Here are some updates from the last 24 hours:

• So what is open on the Key? And, what is closed on the Key? Here are two fact sheets for you to become familiar with and share with your island community.
• Did you hear the news? KB Fire and KB Police are live on Instagram! Connect with public safety @vkbfire and @keybiscaynepolice. We want to provide you with Village Key information. Sign-up and follow official Village information outlets to stay informed.
• The Village of Key Biscayne is facilitating senior assistance through a volunteer program in coordination with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation.
• In partnership with the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce we are serving the needs and concerns of restaurants and local businesses on the Key.
• Key Biscayne public bathrooms have been closed pursuant to Miami-Dade County park and beach closure and to prevent unnecessary janitorial staff from coming into the island.
• The Village will post a virtual message sign toward the entrance of the Rickenbacker causeway stating Key Biscayne beaches and parks are closed.
• Social distancing continues to be a behavior not fully adopted by all of us. We understand there is a learning curve to this new behavior and way of life. However, we need to voluntarily comply with social distancing per CDC recommendation and guidance to #FlattenTheCurve of COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus – continue to put distance between yourself and other people and let’s all lead by example.
• As of yesterday, the official state health authority Florida Department of Health (FDOH) report indicates seven positive COVID-19 cases on the Key. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change.
• On Sunday, March 22nd, the Village executed Emergency Order 20-3 restricting non-resident travel. Emergency Order 20-3 was written to ensure the health and safety of Village residents by minimizing opportunities for exposure to COVID-19. We will be carefully evaluating the list of essential services to clarify which off-island services and employees will continue to be allowed on-island. As we determine these additional restrictions we will announce them as far in advance as possible to allow residents and businesses to make necessary adjustments. At this time, a police presence, but not a checkpoint, will remain at the entrance to the Village, and signage will be placed to specify that travel restrictions are in place. We strongly encourage all residents and businesses to make every effort to restrict the need for off-island individuals to travel to and from the island.
• On Monday, March 23 the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens opened a drive-thru community based testing site for COVID-19 open to the general public. Testing is available daily from 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week to first responders who are or are not symptomatic and people aged 65 or older with COVID-19 symptoms. ID is a requirement.

While the roadmap in the coming days is uncertain, it is driven by our Village’s capacity for resilience and renewal in the face of unprecedented changes affecting our community. Key Biscayners are no strangers to difficult crises, and we are confident that, together, we will become even stronger. We are the Key!

-Your Village of Key Biscayne
#KBStayHome

“The Village is executing an abundance of caution to PROTECT our community. We will continue to COMMUNICATE Village-wide efforts and take necessary ACTION to keep the Village of Key Biscayne safe and healthy.”