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.
Keeping residents safe is the primary directive in the city’s fight against COVID-19. To that end, the “Safer at Home” Emergency Order, enacted today, March 24 remains in effect. This
order
requires all persons living in the city to remain in their homes unless engaging in one of the activities listed below:
- Essential retail and commercial activities, such as groceries; medical care; restaurants; for pick up, take out or delivery; banking; and other activities listed in the Order;
- Outdoor recreational activities in areas not otherwise CLOSED;
- Religious activities, subject to distance separation rules;
- Personal support activities, to care for family members or friends;
- Work in support of essential activities, including work to or from essential retail and commercial businesses permitted to remain open by County Emergency Order or City Emergency Order
At all times, residents and visitors shall adhere to social distancing practices, such as
- maintaining a distance of at least six feet away from others,
- washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds or using hand sanitizer,
- covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands),
- regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and
- not shaking hands.
Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to limit all of their travel, except as absolutely necessary. Persons at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are strongly encouraged to stay in their residence to the extent possible, except as necessary to seek
medical
care.
As a reminder, the city has implemented a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. until further notice.
CITY SERVICES
City Clerk
Public office hours for the Office of the City Clerk and the Office of the Special Master are now 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Customers needing assistance may call the Office of the City Clerk at 305.673.7411 or the Office of the Special Master at 305.673.7181. Telephones will be answered from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers are encouraged to use the
Clerk's online resources
or email
cityclerk@miamibeachfl.gov.
For a full list of impacted city services, including the Building Department, Code Compliance and more, select the Impacted City Services tab on our
COVID-19 webpage
.
Miami Beach Trolley
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.
Building Department
APPLICATION
PLAN REVIEW
- All permits that have not been issued are required to upload all documents for review.
- Any 24Hr plan disapproved, must upload all corrections via Citizen Self Service (CSS)
PERMIT ISSUANCE
- There will be no interior condo permits issued.
- Any 24Hr plan brought in tomorrow will be invoiced. If approved and the remaining balance has been paid, via Citizen Self Service (CSS), the permit card will be delivered via email or be made available for download via Citizen Self Service (CSS). The inspector will bring the approved plan to the site for the first inspection.
INSPECTIONS
- Any permits already issued, will be allowed to continue/begin work (if the individual association allows the work).
- During COVID-19 period we must work together. The City of Miami Beach building inspectors will be performing checks of the logs on safe site practices. Lack of compliance with CDC recommendations on construction sites will result with the issuance of a violation and depending on the severity, may require that the site be closed down up to and including the revocation of a permit.
- Construction projects with greater than 8 workers shall check all employees daily and keep notes of the screening on site. Click here for the City's Self Screening form.
- Permits or violations that will expire between March 16, 2020 and April 16, 2020 will be extended for an additional month.
The North Beach office will be closed to the public until further notice. Customers may visit the Building Department office located at City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive. Visit the City's dedicated
COVID-19 webpage
regularly to stay informed.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey
The Governor has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Completing this survey could help unlock State and Federal funding.
The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) can be taken online
here
.
For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at
ESF18@em.myflorida.com
.
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. Click
here
for eligibility requirements and
guide
.
Complete details on this program and how to apply are available
here
.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Guidance
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 will be offering, in the upcoming weeks, 100 million in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time. Click
here
for more information.
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.
RESOURCES FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Restaurant & Take-Out Delivery Guidelines
For Stopping the Spread of COVID-19
Click
here
for a list of guidelines for your establishment.
Restaurant Coalition Launches The Great American Takeout Campaign
Tomorrow, we're asking everyone in America to show their support for the restaurant industry and incredible employees by joining #TheGreatAmericanTakeout and eating at least one delivery or pick-up meal. Click
here
for more information.
Miami Eats Program
Due to the dramatic impact on the hospitality industry during this pandemic, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has launched MIAMI EATS - a new program to help our restaurants and their employees during this crisis. Visit the
GMCVB
to learn how to have your establishment added to the list.
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.
Click
here
for to learn about resources for bartenders and servers.
Free ad for Miami Beach Business Owners in Miami Beach Life Magazine
The Beach Channel will be offering free advertisements.
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 that offers delivery or pick-up are eligible.
Preparing for the Coronavirus: Steps for Foodservice and Restaurant Readiness.
Coronavirus: Industry Readiness and Response
Designed for State Restaurant Associations and chain restaurant representatives who need answers to their questions about the impact of the virus
RESOURCES FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Essential Hotels Still Open in Miami-Dade County
Although hotels are closed on Miami Beach, there are still essential hotels open on the mainland. Click
here
for a full list of open properties in Miami-Dade County.
AAHOA Webcast Series
In the wake of the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, AAHOA is bringing you a series of
webcasts
that will keep you informed and help determine next steps for your business.
GENERAL RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS
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
.
Unemployment Benefits and the Coronavirus:
Click
here
to learn how to apply for unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, welfare or temporary assistance, and other programs and services that can help if you lose your job.
Eligibility Check
What Qualifies you for Unemployment in Florida, click
here
for more information.
List of Temporary/ Seasonal Jobs Available
Click
here
to view a list of available job openings.
Employee Parking
For information regarding municipal parking lot monthly permits or garage access cards, please contact the City’s Customer Service Center at 305.673.7505, press #0 for a call center agent or please send an email with your inquiry or request to:
MunicipalParkingPermits@miamibeachfl.gov
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS WEBINARS AND PREPAREDNESS TOOLS
Upcoming Webinars and Resources to Help you Navigate COVID-19.
Decision making Under Pressure: Your Employees, Your Choices
Wednesday, March 25 | 10:30 AM
Provided by: Johnson Jackson
Miami-Dade Business Continuity and Recovery Virtual Town Hall
March 25, 2020 | 1:30 PM
This Virtual Town Hall is meant to facilitate information on resources and assistance available to support businesses impacted by COVID-19. Speakers will include civic leaders and key subject matter experts speaking to local, state and federal programs available to Miami’s small business community.
COVID-19 Lockton Update: Navigating Insurance and Claims
Mar 25, 2020 | 3 PM
Surviving the Pandemic: Your restaurant can survive the fallout from COVID-19
Results Thru Strategy, Inc. has launched a video series (“Surviving the Pandemic”) to aid the restaurant industry struggling with the effects on their business of the novel coronavirus. It is hosted by RTS Founder, Chaos Strategist and Change Agent, Fred LeFranc. Fred and RTS Partners will focus on delivery/takeout, human resources, technology, culinary, finance, real estate and marketing. The series is designed to help owners, managers and team members regain and even improve business.
Small Business Administration: Learn more about the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Mar 26, 2020 | 3 PM
Coronavirus Resources: Labor and Employment Law Challenges and Obligations Facing Employers
Available On Demand
In the current coronavirus public health emergency, employers are confronting difficult questions related to employment issues including leave and accommodation, workers’ compensation, Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disability Act, and other workplace laws and regulations.
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
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
.
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.
RECOVERY RESOURCES FOR NON-PROFITS
Now more than ever, we must come together as a community to help one another. Here are a few organizations you can help.
- The Miami Foundation Community Recovery Fund is focusing on recovery for non-profits, specifically: support for organizations that lost crucial revenue from cancelled or low-turnout events and performances and working capital for organizations at risk of being displaced and unable to serve their constituents.
- United Way of Miami-Dade, in partnership with The Miami Foundation, Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, Health Foundation of South Florida and others, has launched the Miami Pandemic Response Fund
- Feeding South Florida launches a COVID-19 Response Fund
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy launches fund to support nonprofits working with vulnerable populations
- The One Fair Wage's emergency fund supports restaurant workers, tipped servers and delivery drivers
- Americans for the Arts COVID-19 resources and responses for artists and arts organizations. This effort is also closely coordinated with the National Endowment of the Arts
