City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 7/16

Thursday, July 16, 2020 The City of Miami Beach is committed to keeping our residents, businesses and visitors informed as we navigate this global pandemic together. The 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. countywide curfew remains in effect with exceptions for essential workers and for people who have a religious obligation. As a reminder, all persons in public spaces and places, both indoors and outdoors, are 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 also continue practicing social distancing and meticulously wash your hands regularly. COVID-19 & Antibody Testing New! Self-Swab Lanes at Hard Rock Testing Location The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) state-supported drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at the Hard Rock Stadium is now offering separate, observed self-swab lanes to symptomatic individuals to reduce wait time at testing sites and to expedite their test results, on a first-come, first-serve basis. At this site, symptomatic individuals will be directed to a separate lane for testing and will be provided an observed, self-swab test under the supervision of a health care professional. Observed self-swab tests will be offered to those 5 years of age and older with symptoms of COVID-19. Results from the self-swab test will be sent to a separate lab and will be available within 72 hours via e-mail. The Hard Rock Stadium will be able to conduct up to 500 self-swabbing tests per day.  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 Miami Beach testing site locations, appointments are not necessary and testing is FREE and offered to anyone 18 years or older, regardless of COVID-19 symptoms. Commission & Finance and Economic Resiliency Meetings The next Commission meeting is being held tomorrow, July 17 at 9 a.m. and will be televised on MBTV and streamed live on Facebook. The Finance and Economic Resiliency Meeting will follow at 10 a.m. The Commission Chambers will be closed to the public, but you can watch both meetings via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85361062387 How to provide spoken public comment during the City Commission Meeting: The public may provide spoken comment by dialing telephone 929.205.6099 or 888.475.4499 (Toll Free). The Webinar ID is 853 6106 2387#. Press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak. How to submit written public comment before the City Commission Meeting: The public may submit written comments by sending an email to CityClerk@miamibeachfl.gov by 5 p.m. the day before the Commission Meeting. Please identify the Agenda Item Number in the email subject line. Emails received will be forwarded to the Mayor and Commissioners and will be included as a part of the meeting record. Virtual Specialty Summer Camp The Parks and Recreation Department is still offering Virtual Specialty Camp programming for summer 2020! Offerings include: Coding Camp Dance Camp Fine Arts Camp Yoga, Zumba, Cheer & Hip Hop Camp For detailed scheduling information, click here. To register, visit register.miamibeachparks.com 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 close at 5 p.m. tomorrow, 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. Virtual Sustainachella We continue to bring Virtual Sustainachella to provide the community with the knowledge and tools necessary to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Friday, July 17 4 PM - 5 PM Summer means enjoying the waters off our coast and bay as safely as possible. During this workshop, learn about the importance of boat safety and protecting the marine environment in preparation for the start of lobster mini season (July 29-30). Click here to register now. Drive-Thru Food Distribution Feeding South Florida and Commissioner David Richardson will host a drive-thru food distribution on Saturday, July 18. Saturday, July 18 9 AM - 11 AM 2100 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 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. 2020 Primary Election Early voting for the Primary Election will take place from August 3 through August 16. The two early voting locations in Miami Beach are as follows: Miami Beach City Hall | 1700 Convention Center Drive North Shore Branch Library | 7501 Collins Avenue Primary elections will take place on Tuesday, August 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Don't wait until August 18 to cast your vote. To protect your health and safety, you can vote by mail. If you prefer to vote in-person, you can go to one of the 23 early voting locations throughout Miami-Dade County. Remember, check your voting location before heading to the polls on Election Day! Be informed. Be involved. Be election ready. For more information on the three ways to vote, call 311 or visit: iamelectionready.org 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 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). ‌