The City of Miami Beach is committed to working with our community businesses and stakeholders to keep everyone informed as this situation continues to unfold. Please find below the latest information on mandates/guidelines as well as businesses resources.
Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has approved the first two Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by DEO, provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. Up to $50 million has been allocated for the program.
The Governor has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.
The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online
here
.
Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Completing this survey could help unlock State and Federal funding. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at
ESF18@em.myflorida.com
.
RECENT UPDATES
Due to the fluid nature of this State of Emergency, the city has amended its emergency measures on several occasions since March 12, 2020, with the most recent measures issued yesterday, March 20, 2020. A brief summary of the latest changes is below for your convenience. However, the City recommends that you review the full text of the latest version of the Emergency Order, a link to which is available
here
to ensure you have the best available information, and are kept up to date at all times during this emergency.
The changes to the city’s March 20, 2020 Emergency Order include:
- Establishment of a general curfew throughout the city from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 12 a.m., until further notice. (The curfew in the Entertainment District remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020.)
- Require closure of commercial lodging establishments (including hotels, suite hotels, hotel units within apartment hotels, hostels, dormitories, motels, and temporary vacation rentals/short term rentals) by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the city’s Order.
- Closure of Purdy Boat Ramp at Maurice Gibb Park
- Clarification that all other marinas, boat launches, docking, fueling, marine supply and other marina services shall remain OPEN, between the hours of 7 a.m. to sunset only.
Any violation of the aforementioned emergency measures would subject the individual or business entity to criminal penalties.
Miami Beach Trolley
Starting today, March 21, 2020 until further notice, all Miami Beach Trolleys will only operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Sunday with a decreased service frequency. Passengers should expect 30 minute wait times. Additionally, the 11 Street Loop will be eliminated until further notice. To track the trolley in real-time, download the Miami Beach e-Gov app.
Restaurant & Take-Out Delivery Guidelines
For Stopping the Spread of COVID-19
Click
here
for a list of guidelines for your establishment.
Restaurant Waste Services Update
With the reduction in restaurant service to delivery and take-out and in accordance with City Code Sec 90-100, restaurants are now eligible to reduce waste service to every other day.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Federal Tax Filing Postponed
Taxpayers and Businesses will have additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. Filing deadline has been moved from April 15 to
July 15.
State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program has been activated. The application period will run through May 8, 2020. The program will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. Qualified applicants must be a for-profit, privately held small business that maintains a place of business in the state of Florida, must be established prior to March 9, 2020 and must employ 2 to 100 employees.
This loan program will provide up to $50,000 per eligible small business. Loans of up to $100,000 may be made in special cases as warranted by the need of the eligible small business. Complete details on this program and how to apply are available
here
.
Short Time Compensation Program (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)
The Short Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees. If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan and an employee meets the qualifications to file a re-employment assistance claim in the state of Florida, the employee will receive a partial re-employment check to supplement their reduced paycheck.
EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS: For more information on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Short Time Compensation Program please click
here
.
EMPLOYERS: To apply for the Short Time Compensation Program (required for employees to submit a re-employment claim), please click
here
.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Guidance
The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The SBA
has approved the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program which will provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans
here
.
Facebook Grant
F
acebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time. Click
here
for more information.
Click
here
for to learn about resources for bartenders and servers.
BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS TOOLS
Business Pandemic Planning Checklist
To assist with the potential financial impact on your business, please visit the following link for information to help maintain the continuity of your operations:
Business Pandemic Planning Checklist
.
Resilience in a Box
To give businesses a better chance at survival post-disaster, the U.S. Chamber Foundation offers a free toolkit called Resilience in a Box, in partnership with The UPS Foundation. This collection of resources educates business leaders on disaster preparedness and helps put them on a path to resilience. Read more on the
Good360 blog
.
It is important to keep your business and employees safe and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to monitor the
city’s page
on coronavirus for the latest information, as the situation is rapidly changing.
U.S. Department of Labor
The Wage and Hour Division provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to influenza, pandemics, or other public health emergencies, and their effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Click
here
to learn more.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding COVID-19 impacts on Miami Beach.
Free ad for Miami Beach Business Owners in Miami Beach Life Magazine
The Beach Channel will be offering free advertisements.
Due to the current unforeseen circumstances and pandemic, we find ourselves in, The Beach Channel is taking action to help our community. The Beach Channel will be offering free advertisement to any restaurants in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe county area that are offering delivery or take-out.
All restaurants in one of these three counties that offers delivery or pick-up are eligible. The advertisement will be run on the new Beach Channel app. It will also be featured on
the Beach Channel livestream
, which can be watched on the app or online at
thebeachchannel.tv
