Village Updates

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR THURSDAY UPDATE

Key News

May 1, 2020

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

Good Afternoon, VKB Residents,
Today is Thursday, April 30, 2020 and we are in week seven of the Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Response.
Today is International Jazz Day, celebrated every year since 2011. This holiday was organized by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and is meant to increase dialogue and raise awareness about jazz music and culture. Music transcends borders and connects all humankind. Key Biscayne native son Zach Buttrick has been bringing the joy of music to residents on and off the Key. Check out this article from the Miami Herald and then watch and listen to the accompanying video of Zach playing the violin.
UPDATE: NEW EMERGENCY ORDER and AMENDMENTS to existing Orders
Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 21-20: All parks, recreational facilities, golf courses, and marinas in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County may be open, but only under limited circumstances. To further mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and serve the health and safety of Key Biscayne residents, Emergency Order 20-9 was issued on April 29.
The following parks remain CLOSED:
  • Key Biscayne beaches (including Beach Park), swimming pools, fitness centers and gyms remain CLOSED
  • Bill Baggs State Park remains closed
  • Calusa Park is closed until Monday, June 1, 2020
  • Crandon Park (the East side) is closed, but the Marina, Golf Course and Tennis Center (the West side) are open
  • City of Miami Parks (Virginia Key, Hobie Beach, Virginia Key Beach Park) remain closed
When Miami-Dade County re-opens Crandon Park (East side) and beaches, the Village of Key Biscayne will follow the County’s lead and re-open beaches pursuant to County restrictions.
What is allowed?
  • The Village Green is open exclusively to Seniors from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
  • Parks within the Village will be open to the General Public from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Golf and Boating have limited activities – for full details and guidelines refer to the Emergency Order and the helpful fact sheets from the County.
  • Outdoor exercise (i.e., walking. jogging, running, skating, cycling)
Here are the restrictions that Key Biscayne is keeping in place:
  • Park restrooms remain closed
  • Playgrounds remain closed
  • School outdoor facilities, like playgrounds, ball fields, and basketball courts, remain closed
  • Use of outdoor exercise equipment is still prohibited
  • Bike racks cannot be occupied
  • Dog parks remain closed
  • Table games, like dominoes or chess, are not allowed
  • No gatherings are allowed, which include picnic parties, organized competitive play, and pick-up games
  • No sport skills practice allowed: no shooting basketball, no racquetball, no tennis, no dribbling a ball, no throwing a ball, no kicking a ball and no similar activities are allowed
  • Excluding condominium and multi-family residences, which may choose to re-open tennis courts for singles play pursuant to County restrictions on these activities
  • Facial covering for employees and customers at all times while inside Essential Businesses is a must
  • Facial covering for all persons that are outside of their homes is strongly encouraged. CDC guidelines advise against cloth facial coverings being placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • Social distancing 6-feet between individuals
  • Limit of groups to 10 people or fewer
Here’s what remains closed:
Pursuant to Amendment 1 to Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 15-20 (not applicable to single-family residences):
  • Swimming Pools
  • Hot Tubs
  • Fitness Centers
  • Gyms
Construction Sites:
Amendment 1 to Emergency Order 20-5: On Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. all indoor multi-family dwelling construction within the Village were ordered to remain closed.
  • 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.
  • All construction sites must comply with social distancing requirements per CDC guidance. Construction workers must wear protective gear consistent with industry standards.
Miami-Dade Emergency Order 21-20
A message from Key Biscayne Police Chief Press explaining the soft opening of Miami-Dade County’s Parks, Recreational Facilities and Open Spaces.
Current Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Status
The Chart above illustrates current number of positive cases on Key Biscayne, from the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 Data Daily Report.
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
The data found in the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) daily report may differ from data available on Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard. Data in these reports are provisional and subject to change. FDOH is now providing only one report each day, as opposed to an A.M. and a P.M. report. As of today, the FDOH report indicates 63 positive COVID-19 cases on the Key. We do not receive personal information about infected residents from FDOH.
COVID-19 Testing
There is a global demand for COVID-19 testing, as a result testing is contingent on availability of testing resources. Testing is geared toward high-risk residents including 65-years-old and older experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or are immunocompromised, have diabetes, heart or pulmonary conditions. Testing is made by appointment only. Appointments are made through the Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Response Call Center (305-365-8910), which operates Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pilot Drive-Thru Testing Site
The Village of Key Biscayne and Key Biscayne Community Foundation continue to work collaboratively to serve Key Biscayne residents through the drive-thru testing site. Testing is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays only contingent upon the availability of test kits and testing resources. The drive-thru testing site located at St. Agnes Catholic Church operates from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To make an appointment, residents can call the COVID-19 Response Call Center or go to KBCovidTesting.org.
Pilot Mobile Testing Unit (MTU)
The Village of Key Biscayne Fire Rescue, operating autonomously, supplements drive-thru testing through their mobile testing unit, as needed, subject to the availability of tests and a safe and healthy workforce. The mobile testing unit is geared toward homebound residents who meet the eligibility criteria. It will operate on Friday, May 1, and going forward on Wednesdays and Fridays to meet demand.
Alternative COVID-19 Testing Options
To learn more about other existing testing locations in South Florida, please visit the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 webpage.
Latest Updates:
Potential Low Water Pressure within the Village
Expect low water pressure within the Village due to a leak at 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway (in front of the Rusty Pelican). The water lines that feed into the Village are leaking into the middle of the Rickenbacker Causeway. Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department is on-site to address the issue. Expect lane closures till the repair work has been completed.
Eye on the Storm
Though we may all be practicing social distancing, hurricanes unfortunately will not self-isolate. For this reason, the Village is preparing for hurricane season by securing the agreements we need to properly respond to and receive full reimbursement for hurricane-related disasters.
The Village issued a request for proposals on April 22, to solicit proposals from qualified firms to provide Emergency Disaster Debris Monitoring Services in accordance with all statutes and rules issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”). We will receive proposals by May 18 and will select a contractor prior to June 9.
Share the Love
The Key Biscayne Community Center and the Key Biscayne Community Foundation invite you to share the love this Mother’s Day. Send a free Flower Gram to a mom, a friend, or neighbor through no-contact delivery. See details above.
Community Engagement:
Have a great week!
-Your Village of Key Biscayne
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