City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 8/4

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

In an effort to curb COVID-19 cases, the City of Miami Beach has updated its Emergency Order to close all basketball courts in city parks, effective immediately. All solo or group activity related to basketball, including, but not limited to, dribbling or shooting basketballs, is PROHIBITED. Basketball rims have been removed across city courts. Mask Up Miami Beach We urge everyone to wear a mask, continue practicing social distancing and meticulously wash hands regularly. Reminder, Miami Beach Police and Code Compliance Officers are giving out $50 civil citations for anyone not wearing a facial covering while in a public place or space. Free masks are being provided at all Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Watch a brief video below on why our residents mask up!

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, August 5. Wednesday, August 5 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

Miami-Dade County's Hospitality Industry Grant (HIG) Program Local independently-owned and operated restaurants and non-home-based caterers impacted by COVID-19 are now eligible to apply for relief monies through the Miami-Dade County Hospitality Industry Grant Program. The $30M HIG program will be calculated based on individual percentages of eligible costs incurred, with a maximum award of $25,000 per establishment. The program will award grants to a maximum of two (2) establishments per restaurant/hospitality group. Priority will be given to applicants that have a single establishment. If an applicant has two or more establishments and requests assistance for both, then a single application must be submitted. Learn more and apply here.

COVID-19 & Antibody Testing New! Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced that state-supported drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites will prioritize testing for symptomatic individuals, individuals 65 and older and children under the age of 18 starting Wednesday, August 5. This adjustment is consistent with CDC guidance that was issued on July 17, which no longer recommends a test-based strategy to determine when an asymptomatic individual is no longer infectious. While asymptomatic lanes will still be available, testing sites are working to expedite results and make testing more accessible to populations that need it most. Two state-supported drive-thru testing sites in Miami-Dade County, Hard Rock Stadium and Marlins Park, will begin offering rapid COVID-19 testing to symptomatic individuals and those over the age of 65. Results from these tests will be available within 15 minutes through rapid testing machines on site. Walk-Up Testing The walk-up COVID-19 testing is located at 73 Street and Ocean Terrace from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Once you check-in, there is no need to stand in a line, you will receive a text message advising when the nurse is ready for you. Miami Beach Convention Center Testing Site Both the COVID-19 active virus and antibody tests continue to be available at the Miami Beach Convention Center testing facility located on 17 Street and Convention Center Drive. The COVID-19 drive-thru and walk-up testing site is available daily, including weekends, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is now available for children ages 5 and up. Visit our 'Testing' tab to view detailed information on all testing locations, including testing at the Hard Rock Stadium and homebound testing and further details.

2020 Primary Election Early voting for the Primary Election has begun and will take place now through Sunday, 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 Early voting times vary, click here to view the schedule. To protect your health and safety, you can also vote by mail. Voters have until this Saturday, August 8, to request a Vote by Mail Ballot for the August 18 Primary Election. If you prefer to vote in-person, you can go to one of the 23 early voting locations throughout Miami-Dade County. Don't wait until August 18 to cast your vote. For more information on the three ways to vote, call 311 or visit: iamelectionready.org

Shift of Miami-Dade Transit Bus Stops As the city implements the Washington Avenue Social Distancing Plan, Miami-Dade Transit operations have shifted from Washington Avenue to Collins Avenue. Alternative bus stops have been implemented on Collins Avenue at 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 streets and Lincoln Road.   The Washington Avenue Social Distancing Plan partially closes Washington Avenue to vehicular traffic to create a pedestrian and bicycle boulevard that meets the needs of the community, businesses and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotel Isolation Program Miami-Dade County has expanded its hotel network for people who need temporary lodging to isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic because they either have tested positive or risk exposure in their households. The number to call for this free County service is 305.614.1716 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

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 on how you can donate today.

Virtual Specialty Summer Camp If you're looking for an alternative to in-person 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

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).

‌