Village Updates
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR THURSDAY UPDATE
Key NewsApril 9, 2020
An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne
Good Evening, VKB Residents,
Today is Thursday, April 9, 2020 and we are in week four of our emergency response to this pandemic. Every day the Village of Key Biscayne executes an abundance of caution to protect our community. We take the necessary action to keep the Village safe and healthy.
Here’s the latest information:
* We have temporarily suspended the pilot mobile COVID-19 testing program. We are working toward a strategic testing program that is sustainable and helps guide our response efforts. To learn more about existing testing site locations in South Florida, please visit the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 webpage.
Of note, the Key Biscayne Fire Department is not offering COVID-19 testing at this time and it is not a testing site location. For your safety, please do not show up at the fire station, instead contact our KB COVID Hotline 305-365-8910 and follow us on Instagram @keybiscaynefire for updates.
* If you are entering an Essential Business you must wear a facial covering while inside and employees of the business must also wear a facial covering. If you have to go outside of your home, despite the Safer at Home Order, we encourage you to wear a facial covering. View the current CDC guidelines about the proper use of facial coverings and learn how to make your own.
* Positive Cases on the Key: As of 5:00 p.m. today, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) report indicates 50 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. The above graph reflects data from these reports.
* University of Miami COVID-19 Study: Miami-Dade County residents will be randomly selected to determine rate of exposure in our County. If you get a phone call from (786) 206-0079, it’s important that you pick up.
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The Key Biscayne Police Department and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue are equipped to safely serve our community.
“Safety drives the mission.”
* Bunny Visits: The Village of Key Biscayne Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department is offering a family-fun opportunity this coming Sunday. A hopping, dancing Bunny can visit your front yard and spend a few joyful moments with your kids from a safe distance. Parents can schedule a socially distant Bunny visit by sending an email to: parksandrecreation@
* See Something, Say Something: Public safety is one of the core pillars of our community. We encourage you to join the Village in our efforts to keep Key Biscayners home and safe #KBStayHome. 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. #ItTakesAVillage
*Mental Health and Stress Management: It’s important to take care of yourself. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Even during isolation, please know that you are not alone in this and that your community supports you.
Check out the following helpful resources:
*The CDC: Coping with Daily Life
*The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Emotional Wellbeing
*The National Alliance on Mental Illness: Support Groups
* Domestic abuse is never OK: Sometimes stress brings out the best in us, but sometimes it brings out the worst. For many, leaving their home was an important refuge that is no longer available to them. If you or someone you know is in danger from domestic violence, resources remain available to help.
Miami-Dade County offers free holistic and coordinated services through multiple violence prevention and intervention services programs, which are geared toward increasing the safety of victims and reducing the potential for further violence.
** Florida Domestic Violence 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
** Miami-Dade County Coordinated Victims Assistance Center: 305-285-5900
* Protecting the Village: As of last Thursday, April 2, KBPD has been turning away non-resident cyclists. In the first four days of the police department’s response efforts to curb the entrance of non-resident cyclists to the Village, officers have asked over 1,500 cyclists to turn around. Police are reporting that cyclists are respecting the request not to enter the Village, and there are fewer cyclists coming this way every day.
*Construction Sites: Code Compliance will be red tagging open construction sites that are not complying with social distancing or protective gear, which is the first enforcement step.
* Did you know that Miami-Dade County has permanent water restrictions? Click here to view the guidelines.
* Connecting to Sanitary Sewer: The Department of Environmental Resources (DERM) is intending to grant an extension to the deadline to abandon septic and connect to sanitary sewer, but DERM is still determining how long the deadline should be extended. We will let residents know what their determination is for the extended deadline when that information becomes available.
** The Village of Key Biscayne’s Building, Zoning and Planning Department will be allowing new permit applications for sanitary sewer connections, roof repairs and A/C repair or installations which fall under the category of emergency work permit process online. Once the online permit system is rolled out we will share the link.
Working with Community Partners for #KBResilience During COVID-19:
*From the Key Biscayne Community Foundation:
** For Seniors: 150 volunteers have signed up, 62 of them are actively helping seniors collect groceries, medications, or run general errands on the Key. Currently 82 seniors are being supported by the Adopt a Senior program made possible by VKB in partnership with KBCF. With the help of Village Parks & Rec Senior Programming and KBCF staff, we contacted over 850 seniors to date.
**Freebee was making approximately 37 deliveries a day;
**Community sewing circles have made 100s of masks for seniors, essential workers and other community members;
There are web resources related to family and individual activities for those that are social-distancing and isolating.
**For more KBCF Resources: https://www.kbcf.org/covid19-
* From the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce:
** COVID-19 Business Impact Survey Results
** KB Chamber Member Restaurants currently OPEN for Pick-Up and Delivery
Public Safety Reminder:
* Public health is everyone’s responsibility, but you cannot control the actions of others. Only you can protect yourself. 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. And obey Emergency Orders designed to protect your safety. #KBStayHome: You are safer at home.
What you can do:
* General Safety:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and other people. The virus is thought to spread through person-to-person close contact (within about 6 feet).
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Remain vigilant of phishing emails and other security risks as the Village transitions to telecommuting.
* For a list of Emergency Orders and summaries:
To view all State of Florida Executive Orders.
To view Miami-Dade County Emergency Orders.
All Emergency Orders and up-to-date information can be found on the Village of Key Biscayne.
* Construction Sites: All multi-family dwelling construction sites within the Village are ordered closed pursuant to Emergency Order 20-5 effective Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. Multi-family dwellings are defined by Village Code of Ordinances as a dwelling occupied by three or more families and/or dwelling comprised of three or more dwelling units.
Construction Site Safety: All construction sites must comply with social distancing requirements per CDC guidance. Construction workers must wear protective gear consistent with industry standards.
* 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.
* Beach Closures: All parks, beaches and recreational facilities in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County are still CLOSED per Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 06-20.
For More Information:
* We are working to put links to Wellness Resources on our website and we will let you know once they are up.
* 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.
* Do you still have questions? For any COVID-19 related inquiries email us: response@keybiscayne.fl.gov. Please note that departments within the Village remain open to email inquiries that pertain to specific department-related questions.
***
Every day the Village of Key Biscayne executes an abundance of caution to protect our community. We take the necessary action to keep the Village safe and healthy.
- We are going to get through this time. The Village government is responding well, we’re unified in our efforts and we’re making the best possible decisions to protect the health and safety of the residents.
- We all need to work together. EACH of us is responsible for ALL of us. Our personal decisions to practice social distancing and to stay safe at home impact everyone around us. The ultimate success of every attempt to protect our health and safety depends on each of us.
- We’re committed to communicating with you. We’ve added pages to the Village website to provide more information that is easier to find. We continue with daily updates to everyone who has signed up for them. We’re expending every effort to keep you informed.
- Things will get harder. Every Agency responding to this pandemic is indicating that April will be a tough month. Our community’s resilience will be tested in every way.
- Things will last longer. We all want a quick end to this pandemic, but we need to be ready for a long haul. Even if we flatten the curve, we won’t have stopped the spread of COVID-19. This event will impact us all for a long time.
- We are succeeding together! We can flatten the curve. We can socially distance. We can stay-at-home. And we will succeed!
That’s it for today’s update. Stay safe and healthy!
-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.
