Village Updates

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR MONDAY UPDATE

Key News

April 13, 2020

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

Good Afternoon, VKB Residents

Today is Monday, April 13, 2020 and we are in week five of the Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Response.

We all need to work together

We ask all of our residents to truly evaluate what services and whose help is really essential to you. The personal decisions you make as to who comes into our community effect the community as a whole. Could you do without certain services? Could you utilize them less often? Do you really need to go outside of your home or property? We have heard from you, our residents, that you want us, your government, to limit the amount of people coming onto our island, but that responsibility is in your hands. We empower all of our residents to take this responsibility into your own hands. Be accountable and do your part. We ask you to think about your loved ones and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to this virus, even if that underlying immune vulnerability is invisible to the naked eye. If we all work together, then we can succeed together.

Every day the Village of Key Biscayne Incident Command practices the same response priorities:

To exercise an abundance of caution to PROTECT our community: Our number one priority is to protect the health and safety of everyone in the Village of Key Biscayne.
To continue to COMMUNICATE Village-wide efforts at containing the spread of the virus: We strive to deliver updated information to maintain awareness and public readiness, and to combat misinformation.
To take necessary ACTION to keep the Village of Key Biscayne safe and healthy. Our primary goal is to encourage Village residents to engage in behavior that limits the spread of the virus.

Current Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Status

The Chart above illustrates current number of positive cases on Key Biscayne, from Florida Division of Emergency Management’s daily COVID-19 Data Reports.

Village of Key Biscayne Cases as Percentage of the Population

The chart above compares Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Cases with other Florida communities.

Cases on the Key

Case numbers are provided by the Florida Department of Health. We are aware of challenges to the integrity of the FDOH data. As we have been stating, data in their reports are provisional and subject to change. As we learn more about the issue, we will act accordingly.As of 10:00 a.m. today, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) report indicates 57 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 graphs reflect 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.

The State of Florida Issues COVID-19 Updates

The State of Florida’s response to COVID-19: Most Recent Update April 11, 2020

Latest Updates

Emergency Order 20-6 effective as of today, Monday, April 13

If you are outside of your home, we encourage you to wear a facial covering. If you are entering an Essential Business you must wear a facial covering while inside.

The Village Manager executed Emergency Order 20-6 effective 8:00 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2020, in effect through Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Emergency Order 20-6 Mandates facial covering for employees and customers at all times while inside Essential Businesses.

Emergency Order 20-6 Encourages facial covering for all persons that are outside of their homes.

View the current CDC guidelines about the proper use of facial coverings and learn how to make your own.

Remember, the general public should not acquire or utilize N95 or equivalent/higher rated masks, as those are critical supplies for health care workers, police, fire, emergency management, or other persons engaged in life/safety activities.

Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 20-20

Effective as of 11:59 p.m. on April 9, 2020, persons working in or visiting grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles, vehicles for hire, and locations where social distancing measures are not possible shall wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC.

Magnet School Deadline

Attention residents who have applied to MAST or other magnet school programs for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year: This is a reminder to check your magnet application notification status. You have only until Wednesday, April 15 to accept your seat. If the student or the student’s parent or guardian does not accept the seat by this deadline, your seat will be forfeited, even if you live on Key Biscayne.

In-Village Testing Suspended

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 inSouth 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. Contact our KB COVID Hotline 305-365-8910 instead. Follow us on Instagram @keybiscaynefire for updates.

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

Key Biscayne Police Department

Watch a lovely video from KBPD on the Village’s YouTube channel.

We love our Village of Key Biscayne community and we are here for you during these strange times, just as we always have been. Thank you for your cooperation and adherence to the new rules. As you can see in the video, our beaches and communal gathering spaces are empty. Our beautiful island community will get through this difficult time. We are all in this together, or to quote The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, “all for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall.” #ItTakesAVillage #KBStayHome #KBPD #BlueTeam #VillageLove

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.

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:

CDC: Coping with Daily Life
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Emotional Wellbeing
The National Alliance on Mental Illness: Support Groups

Village of Key Biscayne Department Updates

New Kid on the Block

The Key Biscayne Community Center is making its grand debut on Instagram! Just because KBCC is closed until further notice, doesn’t mean we can’t connect with our Village family. Follow us on Instagram @KeyBiscayneCommunityCenter to receive updates, wellness resources, weekly challenges, exercises and more. #KBStayHome #IslandCommunity #VillageLove

Permit Applications Allowed

The Village of Key Biscayne’s Building, Zoning and Planning Department will be allowing new permit applications for emergency repairs. To learn how the department is currently operating and to learn more about new permits being issued at this time click here. To open the Building Application Permit form click here.

Applications (with licenses/insurance) along with plan in .pdf form should be emailed to onlinepermits@keybiscayne.fl.gov.
Payments can be accepted over the phone. Permit Clerk will contact customer when ready to obtain credit card information.

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. 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.

Water Restrictions

Did you know that Miami-Dade County has permanent water restrictions? Click here to view the guidelines.

Working with Community Partners

Key Biscayne Community Foundation: https://www.kbcf.org/covid19-resources/

Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce: https://www.keybiscaynechamber.org/

Website Resources

View all response updates and other information on the Village of Key Biscayne website:

Stay safe and healthy!

-Your Village of Key Biscayne