Village Updates

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR WEDNESDAY EVENING UPDATE

Key News

April 29, 2020

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

Good Afternoon, VKB Residents,
Today is Wednesday, April 29, 2020 and we are in week seven of the Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Response.
UPDATE: NEW EMERGENCY ORDER and AMENDMENTS to existing Orders
A new Miami-Dade County Emergency Order, Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 21-20, went into effect at 6:00 a.m. this morning. Informed by recommendations from health experts, Miami-Dade County is moving to a “new normal” and easing restrictions on parks, recreation and open spaces with limited activities.
The County Mayor and your Village government agree that it is too soon to re-open everything. While we all want our lives to return completely to normal, there is an important reason that cannot happen yet: we have not yet reached the projected peak of this virus. The number of positive cases is still increasing daily in Miami-Dade County. The re-opening of parks, marinas and other areas identified in this Emergency Order are a first-step.
Our beaches (including Beach Park), swimming pools, fitness centers and gyms remain CLOSED for your safety and the safety of all residents to minimize everyone’s potential contact with the virus. The more everyone complies with Emergency Orders, the sooner we can get back to the activities and places we love.
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. The following parks remain CLOSED:
  • Bill Baggs State Park remains closed
  • Beaches are still closed, including Village Beach Park
  • 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 reopens 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:
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 62 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 Thursday, April 30 contingent upon the availability of test kits and testing resources. The drive-thru testing site located at St. Agnes Catholic Church operates from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 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.
Alternative Testing Options
To learn more about other existing testing locations in South Florida, please visit the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 webpage.
Latest Updates:
NEW (more): Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your COVID-19-related frequently asked questions.
Key Biscayne Community Church Farmers Market to Re-Open Saturday
Local farmers are returning to the Key to sell their fresh goods! The beloved Farmers Market located at the Key Biscayne Community Church will be open again as of this Saturday, May 2, 2020. The Key Biscayne Community Church address is 355 Glenridge Road Key Biscayne and the Farmers Market will be held on Saturday’s from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information call (305) 361-2411.
Check out our Village Connect archive here.
Here is the direct link to yesterday’s Village Connect: https://conta.cc/2Sxg4vt
Have a great week!
-Your Village of Key Biscayne
The Hundred Million Dollar Question: Our Two Cents Franklin H. Caplan, Luis F. de la Cruz

July 30, 2020

Resiliency and Property Values Franklin H. Caplan, Barry S. Goldmeier

July 29, 2020

A Covid-19 Death on Key Biscayne. Many Knew Pepe Charles D. Sherman

June 24, 2020