Tuesday, July 14, 2020
As the State of Florida continues to experience elevated numbers of COVID-19 cases, the City of Miami Beach has updated its Emergency Order to close and prohibit all short-term rentals in the city, effective, July 16, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.

Short-term and vacation rentals shall cancel all existing reservations, and shall refrain from accepting new guests or making new reservations, until the Order expires or is otherwise amended.

Additionally, Miami-Dade County's has extended their emergency meals service for senior citizens. If you or someone you know would like to participate in this program, please call Miami-Dade County’s 311 Call Center between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Message from the Mayor
View today's message from Mayor Dan Gelber below and read it in Spanish here .
Safety For All
All persons in public spaces and places, both indoors and outdoors, shall be required to wear facial coverings , as defined in the County’s EO 20-20, as amended.

Any person not wearing a facial covering is subject to a $50 civil fine.
 
We urge everyone to continue practicing social distancing and meticulously wash your hands regularly. Learn more on our dedicated coronavirus webpage here .
Plasma Donation
As the number of COVID-19 infections rise in Florida, hospitals are facing critical shortages of convalescent plasma for treatment. OneBlood is working with the public and physicians to coordinate the delivery of potential lifesaving COVID-19 convalescent plasma to those in need.
 
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 and how you can donate today.
Residents Facing the Possibility of Eviction or Foreclosure Proceedings
If you feel that you are being evicted unfairly or in violation of your lease, there are available resources to help guide you through this process and inform you of your legal rights and options. Dade Legal Aid, founded in 1949, offers pro bono, free legal advice to financially qualified persons who may be in need of assistance due to pending eviction or foreclosure proceedings.

All requests for assistance must be made by appointment. The Dade Legal Aid can be contacted at 305.579.5733. They are located at 123 NW 1 Avenue, Miami, FL 33128, across from the historic Miami-Dade County Courthouse. They are accessible by public transit from Miami Beach on both the 120 Beach MAX & 119 S bus routes. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be found on their website here .
North Beach Drive-Thru Food Distribution
South Florida Seniors in Action, Farm Share and Commissioner David Richardson will host a drive-thru food distribution tomorrow, July 15.

Wednesday, July 15
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
Neighborhood & Quality of Life Committee/DRB Meeting
The Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee/DRB will  meet  tomorrow, July 15  at 8:30 a.m.  virtually via Zoom  her e:    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84707778817.   The meeting will be streamed live on MBTV Channel 660 on Atlantic Broadband or 99 on AT&T U-Verse.

How to provide spoken public comment during the meeting:
The public may provide spoken comment by dialing telephone  929.205.6099 or 888.475.4499 (toll free).   The Webinar ID is 847 0777 8817. Press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak.
As a reminder, when the Countywide curfew goes into effect nightly at 10 p.m., dine-in or takeout at any Miami Beach establishment is  strictly prohibited.

Delivery services may continue, but patrons are  NOT permitted to pick-up their orders once the curfew begins nor can dine-in customers remain at restaurants past 10 p.m.

View our Restaurant Safety Guidelines  here and the Emergency Orders that pertain to this mandate:
Applications Are Open Now Through Friday
Miami-Dade County Emergency Rental
Assistance Program

The Board of County Commissioners created the  COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), providing one-time rental assistance grants to low and moderate income persons in Miami-Dade County that have lost income as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The initial funding for the program is $10 million from Miami-Dade County and will be allocated equally across all 13 commission districts.
   
The  ERAP will assist eligible residents in Miami-Dade who earn no more than 80 percent of the County area median income (AMI)  according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, currently have a written lease, are not a participant in other rental assistance programs, and have documentation showing that their household’s income was impacted by COVID-19.
 
Applicants are able to apply online now through 5 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020 . After completion of the application, which includes submission of supporting documentation, applicants will be notified via email if they have qualified for assistance. To submit an application, visit:  https://bit.ly/3iHM7E7 .
COVID-19 & Antibody Testing

Miami Beach Convention Center Testing Site
Both the COVID-19 active virus and antibody tests are available at the Miami Beach Convention Center testing facility located on 17 Street and Convention Center Drive. The testing capability for the active virus is 1,200 tests per day and the antibody testing has a capacity of 300 tests per day. Antibody results are typically provided within one hour while active virus results take a few days.

The COVID-19 drive-thru and walk-up testing site is available daily, including weekends, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please note , drive-thru testing wait times can be up to four hours. We encourage you to have a full tank of gas and bring water, snacks and anything you may need to prepare for a long wait.

Walk-Up Testing
The walk-up testing is located in the parking lot at 21 Street and Collins Avenue. Once you check-in, you can return to your vehicle or move away from the mobile testing unit for your own protection and to ensure social distancing. There is no need to stand in a line, you will receive a text message advising when the nurse is ready for you.

At both testing site locations, appointments are not necessary and testing is FREE and offered to anyone 18 years or older, regardless of COVID-19 symptoms.
Stay Informed
Now more than ever it's important to get counted! So call up your friends and neighbors and ask them to visit  my2020census.gov  and make sure our community gets counted.

Visit our dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus f or 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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