Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Yesterday, Miami-Dade County amended their countywide general curfew to 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. All restaurants and food service establishments shall close for on-premises dining between the start of the curfew at 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. the next morning. These establishments may still continue to operate their kitchens after 11 p.m. strictly for the purpose of providing delivery and drive-through services only. 

Please note that take-out, pick-up, or curb-side pick-up is prohibited between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day.

Additionally, per Miami-Dade County rules:
  • Volleyball courts shall remain closed to the public
  • Use of basketball courts remains restricted to three players per half court, individual play only and players must bring their own balls

Read the latest city information below, which includes COVID-19 updates in the beginning, followed by general city news.

COVID-19 Updates
Miami-Dade COVID-19 Residential Landlord & Tenant and Military Veterans Housing Assistance Programs
In response to economic hardships across the nation, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act. Miami-Dade County, using $10 million of CARES Act funds, has developed the Miami-Dade COVID-19 Residential Landlord and Tenant Assistance Program. Miami-Dade County aims to relieve the financial burden of tenants who have lost income due to COVID-19 and keep Miamians in their homes to support a strong recovery.
 
The Miami-Dade COVID-19 Residential Landlord and Tenant Assistance Program can provide up to three (3) months of past-due rent per unit, with a maximum of $5,000 per unit. Funds will be paid directly to approved landlords in the form of a grant by Miami-Dade County, which must be used solely to provide rent forgiveness in the same amount to eligible tenants, as described below.
 
Landlords facing financial hardship due to tenants experiencing income loss as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic who have missed or are in danger of missing rental payments can apply on their tenant's behalf if the following conditions are met:
  • The landlord owns five or fewer rental properties; AND
  • Funding for outstanding rent that is being requested through the County Program has not been paid or reimbursed by any other source (County, City, State or Federal); AND
  • Eligible properties are located within Miami-Dade County; AND
  • Rental forgiveness is provided in the same amount as the grant from this program; AND
  • The current income of the tenant household meets the eligibility requirement be being at or below 120% Area Median Income (AMI). Current income refers to the household's income following any job loss or income reduction due to COVID-19; AND
  • There is demonstration of a loss of income due COVID-19; AND
  • Proof of rent is provided showing that rent was current as of February 2020.

Miami-Dade COVID-19 Military & Veterans Housing Assistance Program
The Miami-Dade COVID-19 Military and Veterans Housing Assistance Program is designed to help those who are currently serving or have served in the United States Military and are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Funded via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or the Cares Act, these programs serve active duty, reserve, guard and veterans who reside in Miami-Dade County. It is intended to support veterans and active duty military households to remain self-sufficient and support a strong recovery.
 
The Housing Program assists veterans and active duty military service members. It can provide up to three (3) months of past due rent or mortgage payments per household, with a maximum of $5,000 per household. Funds will be paid to the landlord or mortgage lender in the form of a grant by Miami-Dade County. Of the $10 million in program funding, the initial allocation will be $5 million for each of the two forms of assistance, rental and mortgage.
 
The Basic Needs Program assists eligible households with $1,000 of basic needs assistance vouchers for single applicants and $2,000 of basic needs assistance vouchers for households of two or more. Vouchers can be used to purchase groceries, medical supplies, baby and adult care products and other household items. The $5 million of program funds will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Applications for both are are available at www.miamidadecovidrelief.org.
North Beach Drive-Thru Food Distribution
South Florida Seniors in Action and Commissioner David Richardson will host a drive-thru food distribution tomorrow, September 16.

Wednesday, September 16
9 AM - 11 AM
8700 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL

The food distribution is on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Please remain in your car and open the trunk when it's your turn in line.

If you do not have a car and would like to qualify for food assistance, please call or register online. Phone: 305.604.CITY (2489) or www.miamibeachfl.gov/food
Back to The Bass
We're going back to The Bass as they reopen their doors tomorrow, September 16.

They are only the second Miami-Dade art museum to reopen amid COVID-19 — and we are excited to welcome them back!

The Bass is FREE for Miami Beach residents. Click here to learn more about the Bass reopening safety measures in place and plan your next visit.

Also view city's museum reopening safety guidelines here.
Mask Up Miami Beach
We urge everyone to wear a mask, continue practicing social distancing and meticulously wash hands regularly.

Reminder, Miami Beach Police and Code Compliance Officers are giving out $50 civil citations for anyone not wearing a facial covering while in a public place or space.

Free masks are being provided at all Miami-Dade Public Libraries.
General City Updates
Commission Virtual Meeting
A Commission meeting is being held tomorrow, September 16 at 8:30 a.m. and will be televised on MBTV and streamed live on Facebook.

The Commission Chambers will be closed to the public, but you can watch the meeting via Zoom at https://miamibeachfl-gov.zoom.us/j/86717802327

  • How to provide spoken public comment during the City Commission Meeting: The public may provide spoken comment by dialing telephone 301.715.8592 or 877.475.4499 (Toll Free). The Webinar ID is 867 1780 2327#. Press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak.
Land Use & Sustainability Meeting
A Special Land Use and Sustainability meeting is being held Thursday, September 17 at 1 p.m. and will be televised on MBTV and streamed live on Facebook.

The Commission Chambers will be closed to the public, but you can watch the meeting via Zoom at https://miamibeachfl-gov.zoom.us/j/87557553162

Or call in via telephone 301.715.8592 or 877.475.4499 (Toll Free). The Webinar ID is 875 5755 3162#. Press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak.
Countdown to Fill Out the Census
The U.S. Census Bureau is sending an additional paper questionnaire to over 16.2 million households in low-responding census tracts. All mail packages are expected to arrive by today, September 15. This mailing is the last in a series of reminders the Census Bureau has mailed to non-responding households since mid-March urging them to respond.
 
Census takers are still visiting households that have not responded to the census to collect responses in person. Census takers may also visit households that have already responded as part of 2020 Census quality checks. Now, more than ever, it's important to get counted!

Are you a renter? View our 2020 Census Renters guide here.

The Census Bureau will END all counting on September 30.
Call up your friends and neighbors and ask them to visit my2020census.gov and make sure our community gets counted!
Back-to-School with Parks & Rec

Virtual After School Program
The Parks & Recreation Department is offering homework assistance for children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. Additional activities will include fitness classes, yoga, cooking, science and more.

  • Monday through Friday (September 8 - October 2)
  • 2:30 PM - 5 PM (K-1st Grade)
  • 3:30 PM - 6 PM (2nd - 5th Grade)
  • Weekly Fee: $75

Virtual Teen Club
The virtual Teen Club program includes tutoring/homework assistance, STEM, dance, social emotional learning, entrepreneurship, sports fitness, hobby projects and more. Virtual tutoring occurs through the Zoom platform and space is limited.

  • Monday through Friday (September 8 - October 2)
  • 4 PM - 5:30 PM (6th - 12th Grade)
  • FREE for all teens enrolled in a Miami Beach school

Programs may be canceled due to low enrollment. Registration has begun, register today by visiting register.miamibeachparks.com
Miami Beach Hall of Fame - EXTENDED
To recognize remarkable individuals that have made a lasting and significant impact on Miami Beach, the city is asking the public to nominate deserving individuals for the Miami Beach Hall of Fame. The nomination period has been extended and nominations will be accepted now through November 30, 2020.

Selected Miami Beach Hall of Fame recipients are celebrated in the permanent honor hall, located on the south concourse wall of the Miami Beach Convention Center. Inductees will be honored with a plaque listing their accomplishments and a special ceremony to celebrate their achievements.

Eligible individuals must have been either born in Miami Beach, made Miami Beach his/her place of residence or business and/or had a positive and lasting impact on the community. Please click here to access the online application system. Completed applications must be submitted in the online portal by November 30, 2020 at 11:59 PM.
COVID-19 & Antibody Testing

The Miami Beach Convention Center testing site offers drive-up and walk-up COVID-19 antigen tests (“rapid tests”). This test is a nasal swab test with results reported to the patient within 4 hours or less. It will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily or until the site reaches the maximum 350 daily allotted tests. More detailed information on the purpose and efficacy of the antigen test can be found on the CDC website.

Both the COVID-19 active virus and antibody tests continue to be available at the Miami Beach Convention Center testing facility located on 17 Street and Convention Center Drive. The COVID-19 drive-thru and walk-up testing site is available daily, including weekends, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is available for ages 5 and up.

Visit our 'Testing' tab to view detailed information on all testing locations, including testing at the Hard Rock Stadium and homebound testing and further details.
Plasma Donation
As the number of COVID-19 infections rise in Florida, hospitals are facing critical shortages of convalescent plasma for treatment.

The University of Miami Health System is working with OneBlood to collect convalescent plasma to use for a potential treatment option for patients with COVID-19.

Who can participate in this study?
A donor must be over 18 years old, have confirmed COVID-19 documents by a laboratory test, or history suggestive of resolved COVID-19 like illness. Participants must also have complete resolution of symptoms at least 28 days before donation and not participated in any COVID vaccine trials for at least the past 12 months.

For more information on the donation process, contact Tom Tanner at 305.243.5621 or via email at ttanner@med.miami.edu

Transfusing the plasma that contains the antibodies into a person still fighting the virus can provide a boost to the patient’s immune system and potentially help them recover. Click here to learn more on how you can donate today.
Stay Informed
Visit our dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage at www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information, including important resources, impacts to city services and more.

Our city hotline at 305.604.CITY (2489) is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You can also email your questions to MBCovid@miamibeachfl.gov. Or connect with us through social media via email, Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and via text message (text MBAlert to 888777).
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