PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR WEDNESDAY UPDATE
Key NewsApril 2, 2020
An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne
Good Afternoon, VKB Residents,
Today is April 1 – National Census Day! Make sure you’re counted and complete the 2020 Census online today.
Significant Developments:
* COVID-19 Testing Pilot Program: Today at approximately 1:00 p.m., the Village of Key Biscayne in partnership with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation launched a pilot mobile COVID-19 testing service on Key Biscayne. We have established a KB COVID Hotline 305-365-8910 for individuals 65 years-old and older experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. The pilot will begin by administering six tests per day and could gradually increase contingent on feasibility and sustainability. Testing is made by appointment only. Key Biscayne Fire Rescue mobile testing unit will be dispatched to residences to conduct testing. We will provide more information as this pilot develops. To learn more about other existing testing locations in South Florida, please visit the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 webpage.
Latest updates from the Village of Key Biscayne:
* The Daily: Beginning today expect to receive one daily Village Connect update Monday-Friday in the afternoon.
* Positive Cases on the Key: As of 10:00 a.m. today, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) report indicates 21 positive COVID-19 cases on the Key. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. We do not receive personal information about infected residents from the Department of Health. Click here for the latest FDOH data.
* Condos on the Key: Pursuant to Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 15-20, the Village of Key Biscayne disseminated a Call-to-Action to condo associations and building managers via a dedicated e-mail, Village Connect e-mail, social media, community partners and KBPD. See attached Call-to-Action.
* Beach Closures: We’ve received reports that more people are NOT COMPLYING with the Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 06-20, dated March 18, 2020, stating that ALL parks, beaches and recreational facilities in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County are CLOSED, effective March 19, 2020. This closure was enacted to prevent spread of the COVID-19 infection by minimizing opportunities for contact between residents. Failure to obey the beach closure increases the possibility of COVID-19 spread, putting yourselves, your family, your friends and the community at risk. We want to win the fight against COVID-19. That means we must all do our part to stop the spread of this virus. We all need to be socially responsible and practice social distancing for the wellbeing of our entire Village. Remember, the best way to avoid COVID-19 is to avoid exposure. Continue to practice social distancing, maintaining a six-foot distance between yourself and other people. And obey Emergency Orders designed to protect your safety.
Here’s what else is happening:
* Special Council Meeting. Tomorrow, Thursday, April 2, at 6:00 p.m. the Village will have its first virtual Special Council Meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss COVID-19 emergency matters. See enclosed Emergency Order 20-4 Rules of Procedure for Public Meetings Utilizing Communications Media Technology. The meeting notice and instructions to participate in the virtual meeting have been made available and posted on both the Village website, bulletin boards and circulated via Village Connect. If you would like to provide public comments, we encourage you to provide them in advance by emailing publiccomments@keybiscayne.fl.
* See Something, Say Something: Public safety is one of the core pillars of our community. We empower you to join the Village in its Call-to-Action to keep Key Biscayners home and safe #KBStayHome. The best way to avoid illness and be safe is to avoid exposure to COVID-19. We all need to be socially responsible and practice social distancing for the wellbeing of our entire Village. If you see someone not practicing social distance, please report it to KBPD by calling (305) 365-5555. Failure to follow Emergency Orders puts us ALL at greater risk.
In other developments from Miami-Dade County, State, Federal and other agencies:
* M-DCPS Remain Closed: As recommended by the Florida Department of Education, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) school sites will remain closed at least through May 1, 2020.
* Business Community: See enclosed document from the US Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). The Chamber PDF is a description of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP, the $350 billion forgivable loan program available via private banks), while the NFIB PDF is a webinar presentation with more detail. In addition, included is a Congressional Research Service Report on SBA Assistance, which provides more details on the programs if you wish to dig deeper.
* Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 16-20: Adult Day Cares within the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the County are hereby ordered to close, or otherwise cease all programs to deliver personal services to the elderly.
* Amenities: Yesterday morning, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez issued Emergency Order 15-20: All pools, hot tubs, golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts, fitness centers, gymnasiums and other common use amenities, whether of a commercial or non-commercial nature, are closed for all purposes. On Monday night, Mayor Gimenez announced the latest order and emphasized the importance of social distancing in a video.
* M-DCPS: The Key Biscayne K-8 School will not be serving breakfast and lunch meals anymore, but take a look at a list of meal locations in South Florida provided by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. For any parent or student that wants to pick up a grab and go meal, the closest location to the Key is Coral Gables Senior High School with pickup times from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
* Social Distancing Guidelines: President Trump has extended federal social distancing guidelines to April 30.
Now, a break from the news:
* Watch: My Backyard Episode 1 from the Village of Key Biscayne’s Horticulturist, Arielle Simon
* Workouts for Seniors from Adita Lang
* KBCF:
o Acts of Kindness: https://www.instagram.com/
o Miami Meditation Center on Key Biscayne: Facebook
o Key Biscayne Community Church services: https://www.youtube.com/
o The Chabad Key Biscayne Jewish Center: https://www.chabadkeyb.com/
o Repair the World in partnership with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation: https://werepair.org/miami/
o St. Agnes Catholic Church: http://www.stakb.org/
o Crossbridge Church: https://
Do you have links to other resources you think we should share with the community? Please send them to response@keybiscayne.fl.gov with the subject: Community Resources.
That’s it for this update. Have a good evening.
-Your Village of Key Biscayne
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.
