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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - Village Hall Closes to the Public 3/25/2020
Village of Palmetto Bay, FL - March 25, 2020

We have received notice from the Florida Division of Emergency Management concerning new positive cases in Florida. According to a press release issued on March 23, 2020, 1,096 positive cases were confirmed in Florida. A new press release issued today shows the number of positive cases ROSE by 487 to 1,583 positive cases. As we reported yesterday, according to a report from FloridaDisaster.org, a division of Emergency Management, there are two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Palmetto Bay.

Again, we cannot underscore enough the importance to heed advice from medical experts to STAY HOME and practice SOCIAL DISTANCING . Remember that Village parks are CLOSED to the public. Please do not congregate in any public park as all facilities are closed by Miami-Dade County order.

We have received complaints from residents about folks using their boats. Please remember that boating activities are currently prohibited also by Miami-Dade County order .

AS AN UPDATE: Village Hall is closed to the public. Emergency permits may be dropped off at Village Hall, Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm. Please visit our website for details.
VILLAGE OPERATING SCHEDULE

  • Village Hall is closed to the public. Emergency permits may be dropped off at Village Hall, Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm. Please see below or visit our website for details.
  • Village phones will continue to be answered Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Please call 305-259-1234 if you have any questions.
  • All Village Parks are presently closed.
  • Freebee on-demand service is operating Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm; just download the "Ride Freebee" app.

UPDATES ON PUBLIC MEETINGS AND VILLAGE SERVICES 

Public Meetings
  • All task force and committee meetings are canceled through April 15, 2020.
 
Building & Permitting Department
  • Please read these instructions for information on how to drop off emergency permits at Village Hall, online payment options and the issuance of the permit.
  • Request inspections via telephone by calling 305-259-1253 (leave a voice mail message please) or via email
  • Walk-through permits are suspended until further notice
  • Expired Miami-Dade permits that are part of a real estate sale and required for closing may be closed by emailing the permit and contact information to Gladys Bilbraut and to Wes Maltby. Please make sure to allow extra time for processing.
  • Garage sale permits will not be issued until April 15th.
  • Occupational license permits will not be issued until April 15th.
  • Special Event permits will not be processed/issued until April 15th. 

Code Compliance Division
  • Code Compliance complaints are to be reported via telephone by calling 305-259-1272 or via email
  • Complaints will be prioritized based on safety-to-life concerns. The Village will continue to respond to complaints requiring immediate attention.

Human Resources Division
  • Employment applications are to be mailed to: Village Hall, ATTN: Human Resources, 9705 East Hibiscus Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157. Applications are not to be delivered in person.
  • No interviews will be scheduled until after April 15th.
  • No employment screenings will be scheduled until after April 15th.
  • No on-boarding meetings will be scheduled until after April 15th.
 
Planning and Zoning Division
  • New Planning & Zoning applications will not be accepted until after April 15th.
 
Parks and Recreation Department
  • All community events are canceled through April 15th.
  • All Village parks are closed until further notice. Accordingly, restroom facilities and parking lots will be locked.
  • Miami-Dade County parks and beaches are also closed to the public. Consequently, the Deering Estate and Bill Sadowski parks are closed.
  • The Coral Reef Park Farmer's Market is closed.
  • All marinas and boat launches, docking, fueling, marine supplies, and all marina services within county limits are closed.

Police
  • Criminal registering services will be available at the following locations:
  • South District: 10800 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
  • Town of Cutler Bay Station: 10720 Caribbean Blvd., Suite 200, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
  • Fingerprinting services are canceled until further notice
  • Background check services are canceled until further notice
  • Police reports are to be requested by phone by calling 305-278-4000 or online. 
 
Public Services Department
  • FreeBee van services to and from the South Dadeland Metrorail Station from the Park and Ride facility at Palmetto Bay Park is suspended until further notice.
  • I-Bus services to and from the South Dadeland Metrorail Station from the Park and Ride facility at St. Richard’s Church is suspended until further notice.
  • Both Park and Ride facilities are closed.
  • FreeBee on-demand services are available Monday through Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm. 
 
Village Clerk
  • Passport services are canceled through April 15th.
  • Golf cart registration services are canceled through April 15th.
  • Public Request services are canceled through April 15th.
Your Palmetto Bay team is continuing to monitor briefings and mandates from Miami-Dade County, the Florida Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control.

What to do to prevent the spread?
  • Practice social distancing
  • Clean your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes
  • Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks and other frequently touched surfaces daily. To disinfect, use a diluted household bleach solution or alcohol solution with at least 70% alcohol.

Why social distancing?
  • Covid-19 mainly spreads through coughing and sneezing
  • Distancing slows the spread of Covid-19
  • Distancing protects those that are most vulnerable to the virus

What to do if you are sick?
  • Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
  • Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency.
  • Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
  • Limit contact with pets and animals
  • Wear a facemask
County Mayor Issues Countywide Executive Orders

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has issued countywide Executive Orders, which are applicable to all municipalities;

  1. Executive Order 05-20: suspends the operation of motorized mopeds or scooters and bicycles on any public street or sidewalk within the county limits; does NOT apply to individually owned or used devices.
  2. Executive Order 06-20: directs the closing of all beaches and parks;
  3. Amended Executive Order 06-20: closes down marinas and boat launch facilities
  4. Executive Order 08-20: prohibits boat rafting
  5. Executive Order 09-20: shuts down lodging facilities and regulates Airbnb's.
  6. Executive Order 07-20: mandates the closure of certain business establishments, with certain specific services that may remain open. Below is a shortened list of the services that may remain open at this time. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Please read Executive Order 07-20 for a complete list of the businesses that may remain open.

  • Some essential services that may remain open include:
  • Healthcare providers- hospitals, doctors' and dentists' offices, urgent care centers, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapists, mental health professionals, psychiatrists, therapists, and pharmacies.
  • Grocery Stores- includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences.
  • Food cultivation, including farming, livestock and fishing.
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
  • Gas stations and auto-supply, auto repair, and related facilities
  • Banks and related financial institutions
  • Hardware stores
  • Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
  • Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry services providers
  • Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but subject to the limitations and requirements of Emergency Order 3-20.
  • Businesses that supply office products needed for people to work from home
  • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods, or services directly to residences
  • Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services via automobile, truck, bus, or train
  • Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children
  • Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and adult day care centers, and senior residential facilities
  • Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care services
  • Childcare facilities
  • Pet supply stores
  • Waste management services
State issues Executive Order for residents of the New York Tri-State Area, Orders 30-Day Shut-Down of All Bars, Nightclubs; Governor asks all State Universities to Finish Spring Semester Online - University of Florida Agrees

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday, March 17th that he is asking all of Florida’s universities to finish out their spring semesters online. He noted that four University of Florida students have tested positive for the virus. The University of Florida subsequently agreed to the request. Additionally, all bars and nightclubs in Florida will be closed for the next 30 days. The state will also require all restaurants to screen their employees and operate at 50% capacity.

Today, the Florida Governor issued Executive Order 20-80 directing folks who travel from an area outside the State of Florida into the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York), and entering the State of Florida through airports to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the Florida or for the duration of the person's visit to the State, whichever is shorter.

Gov. DeSantis also requested that President Trump declare a Major Disaster for Florida as the state responds to COVID-19.

Palmetto Bay Extends State of Emergency

On Friday, March 13, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham and Interim Village Manger Greg Truitt declared a State of Emergency for the Village of Palmetto Bay Friday, March 13, 2020. The declaration, which is in effect for 7 days, was extended this past Friday for another 7 days. The order is a means to ensure all necessary resources will be available if needed. 
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Closed Until April 15; Spring Break Starts Monday

Following the announcement by the Florida Department of Education, Miami-Dade County Public Schools issued a press release advising parents that K-12 schools and career/ technical centers will remain closed until April 15, 2020. However, distance learning is available to all children. Please call the Distance Learning Help Desk at 305-995-HELP for inquiries or additional information. For more details, read the MDCPS press release . 

Please remember that all Miami-Dade County Public Schools are on Spring Break this week. For additional information concerning Miami-Dade County Public Schools, please visit their website .
What to Do If You Suspect You Have the Virus

Individuals in Miami-Dade County who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider by phone and tell them your symptoms. They should give you further instructions. Otherwise, call the Florida Health Department at 305-324-2400 for assistance.  For questions about COVID-19 in Florida, please call the Florida Department of Health Hotline at 1-866-779-6121.
Helpful Resources

Please monitor the latest updates concerning the virus at the national, state and local levels by visiting the websites listed below:


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