Coronavirus Update #12 - Reopening of Businesses

From the City of Weston | Coronavirus Update #12 May 16, 2020 | 4:00 p.m.

Phase I Eases Us into the New Weston Way It began with passive parks reopening on April 29th, and now we are taking our next full step with the Phase I reopenings of restaurants, retail, personal services, community room and fitness centers located within housing developments, community pools located within Associations, private clubs or housing developments, and museums effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, May 18. We encourage our community to follow all guidelines in order for us to continue through the phased reopening process. Working together we can all establish a New Weston Way so that we can safely resume a new sense of normalcy. What Is Included in Phase 1 Reopening? ·     The list of businesses and services allowed to operate has expanded. ·     Professional services and other businesses located in multi-business office buildings can resume normal operations. ·     Restaurants and food establishments can open for dining at 50% indoor occupancy with six-foot distancing and other restrictions. ·     Retail establishments selling goods other than personal services can open at 50% indoor occupancy, with other restrictions. ·     Businesses that provide personal services by Florida licensed professionals (including barbershops, salons and nail salons) can open with restrictions. ·     Community rooms, fitness centers and gyms located within multi-family housing developments or community associations can operate, with restrictions, including 50% maximum occupancy. ·     We are allowing for Swimming Pools to operate as described in Broward County Emergency Order 20-10, with the additional requirement that all pool furniture shall be removed from the pool decks. ·     Public pools and private club pools can open, with restrictions. If you are a restaurant owner and wish to expand your outdoor seating capacity, visit our website at WestonFL.org/NewWay for the required information. City Parks (Passive parks only) Open Daily, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Weston's passive parks are open with specific guidelines in place for all park visitors to follow. Restrooms, water fountains, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and basketball courts remain closed at this time. Weston Regional, Tequesta Trace and Vista Park also remain CLOSED. Weston Tennis Center Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The tennis center will be open for single-player match play and one-on-one instruction only. Read more about specific guidelines Golf Courses Golf Courses throughout Broward are now permitted to reopen with strict guidelines in place. Read more about the guidelines in place and contact the golf course before heading out. As we progress through the phased reopening of our city, all of the guidelines will be posted at: WestonFL.org/NewWay.

Facial Coverings Required by City and County Order Facial coverings are still required for use when you are out in public, with some exceptions, as established by Emergency Order 2020-09 and Emergency Order 2020-10. Employees and customers of essential businesses, as well as delivery service personnel, are required to wear a cover over their mouth and nose at all times while inside the business or making a delivery. Facial coverings are not recommended for children under the age of 2, those who otherwise have difficulty breathing, or food service employees when doing so would pose a hazard or a health issue. The requirements would also not apply to the extent subject to a religious objection. Read more about the CDC's guidelines on cloth facial coverings. Ongoing updates and information on COVID-19 can be found at: WestonFL.org/Coronavirus.

"Safer at Home" Order Continues to Be in Effect A reminder that the Emergency Order 2020-05 ("Safer at Home" Order) is still in effect until the Local State of Emergency is lifted. The "Safer at Home" Order calls for residents to restrict outings to essential business only, and allows for other specific essential tasks; however, you can still venture outdoors to get exercise as long as you practice social distancing!

Weston Parks Offers Virtual Activities Bored at home? Grab a deck of cards and go for a Wacky Walk with your family. Weston's Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of ideas for virtual activities and fitness opportunities. Stay active at home with #WestonParks. Read more

What to do if you are sick or have symptoms The CDC recently added six additional symptoms to watch for for COVID-19. Learn more Call the Florida Department of Health at 954-412-7300 BEFORE visiting your health care provider.

Questions about the coronavirus? Call the COVID-19 Call Center, available 24/7 at 1-866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. Broward County COVID-19 Call Center: 954-357-9500  (7 days/week, 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.) Additional Resources: WestonFL.org/Coronavirus The City of Weston staff continue to work remotely to serve our community. You can reach us by phone at:  City Hall 954-385-2000 Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Administrative Services Center 954-385-0500 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Community Center 954-389-4321 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Public Works Services Center 954-385-2600 Monday through Friday, 7 am until 4 p.m. Follow us on Twitter at @CityofWeston and @WestonFLAlert, on Facebook @CityofWestonFL. Register to receive CodeRED emergency notifications from the City of Weston at www.westonfl.org/Residents/Hurricane/CodeRed.aspx.

How gratitude helps us in times of pandemic

JeanetteSalvatierraTV

Updates & Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Business Update for those Facing the Impact of COVID-19 Friday, May 8, 2020

The City of Miami Beach is committed to working with our community businesses and stakeholders to keep everyone informed as this pandemic continues to unfold. Please find below the latest information on mandates/guidelines as well as businesses resources. For a full listing of resources and information, visit www.MBbiz.com.

Happening Today Coming out of the Dark: Shedding Some Light on Reopening Safely Mayor Gelber will be joined by members of this business working group to discuss the first phase of reopening and important safety measures the city is adopting. Friday, May 15 3 PM Viewers may participate/provide comments at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83083334971. Or call in via phone using 929.205.6099 or 877.853.5257 (Toll Free) | Webinar ID is 830 8333 4971. The Save Small Business Fund This fund is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as it can. Criteria includes: Employs between 3 and 20 people; Be located in an economically vulnerable community Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information and applications. SBA A shortage of money and crush of applications has led the Small Business Administration to close its portal to most businesses and limit the size of loans. The SBA has now imposed a $150,000 limit. To read more about the changes click here. To request assistance as impacted business or employee, please email ResourceCenter@miamibeachfl.gov with your contact information and needs. All inquiries will be responded to via phone or email by a Resource Agent.

COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Site in Bal Harbour Open to Sunny Isles Beach Residents (ages 14+) A new COVID-19 antibody testing site is open in Bal Harbour and offers screenings, antibody testing, and telemedicine for the 33154 community as well as Sunny Isles Beach residents ages 14+. Testing appointments are required and must be made through an online screening questionnaire at covid33154.com. First responders, seniors age 65 and older, and residents will be given immediate access to testing by completing the online questionnaire or by calling – local: 786-619-3379 or toll-free: 1-877-885-8125. Location: Bal Harbour Shops Parking Garage 96th Street Entrance Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm This testing site is a collaboration of Banyan Medical Systems, Pivot Concierge Health, Bal Harbour Shops, Bal Harbour Village, the Town of Bay Harbor, the Town of Surfside and Indian Creek Village. For more information on the Bal Harbour drive-thru testing site, visit covid33154.com. For information on additional testing locations, please visit Miami-Dade County's website.

Las publicaciones “sin riesgo” no deberían costar dinero

13 de mayo de 2020

por 

Rosario Méndez

Abogada, División de Educación del Consumidor y los Negocios, FTC

Algunas compañías deshonestas mienten cuando dicen que un producto es “sin riesgo”. Eso es lo que la FTC dice que hizo Progressive Business Publications, una compañía de publicaciones comerciales. Esta compañía tenía telemercaderes que llamaban a negocios, escuelas, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y otras organizaciones para ofrecer muestras de sus boletines informativos y libros “sin riesgo”. Pero no aclaraban correctamente que, al aceptar las muestras, la organización quedaba inscrita en una costosa suscripción anual.

Las tácticas utilizadas por los demandados eran tramposas. La FTC dice que, por ejemplo, los telemercaderes les preguntaban rutinariamente a los empleados sus fechas de nacimiento. Luego, utilizaron esa información como una “confirmación” de que la persona había aceptado la suscripción anual. También le dificultaron a las organizaciones la cancelación de las suscripciones no deseadas y continuaron facturándoles todos los meses. Entonces, si alguien incumplía el pago, los demandados le enviaban las deudas impagas a otra compañía para su cobranza. La FTC también demandó a esa compañía de cobranza de deudas, alegando que tenía conocimiento de que muchas de las organizaciones no habían aceptado la suscripción, y que por lo tanto, estaba cobrando deudas que sabía – o debió haber sabido – que no eran válidas.

La FTC dice que estos demandados mintieron, ocultaron información, intimidaron y amenazaron a los dueños de los negocios y a sus empleados. Si eres dueño de un negocio o trabajas en una organización sin fines de lucro, mantente alerta a este tipo de individuos con malas intenciones. A menudo dirigen sus estafas contra las organizaciones de menor volumen, suponiendo que te intimidarán con sus amenazas para que les pagues. La mejor defensa es contar con un personal bien informado.

Habla con tus empleados y colegas de trabajo sobre casos como este y otros esquemas dirigidos contra los negocios.

Conoce cuáles son tus derechos cuando tengas que tratar con cobradores de deudas.

Si tu negocio recibe productos que no se ordenaron, recuerda que la ley dice que te los puedes quedar como un regalo.

Si tu negocio es blanco de un esquema o práctica engañosa, cuéntaselo a la FTC en ftc.gov/queja.