Thursday, May 14, 2020
Ensuring the safety and health of Miami Beach residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic remains the city’s most important objective. Today, the City Manager has extended his  State of Emergency Declaration  through  May 21, 2020 .   The city has also extended its Safer at Home” Emergency Order , as well as the  Emergency Measures , through May 21, 2020. 

These orders do not   address the reopening recently announced by Miami-Dade County, as the city cannot adopt less restrictive emergency measures until the County formally issues its Phase 1 Reopening Emergency Orders.

Today’s order includes:

  • Extending the State of Emergency for another 7-day increment;
  • Opening outdoor basketball courts for individual play as of Monday, May 18, 2020. Individual play permits a maximum of 3 players per half court. Players must (1) observe social distancing at all times, (2) bring their own basketball and (3) not share equipment. Team or pick-up games remain prohibited at this time;
  • Increasing the Flamingo Park track occupancy from a maximum of 30 people, to a maximum of 60 people, at any given time;
  • Prohibiting entertainment at establishments serving food for delivery, pick up or take out services; and
  • Permitting commercial lodging establishments to accept guests meeting the definition of “Essential Lodgers,” as provided in Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 09-20, subject to prior approval of the City Manager.

Any violation of the aforementioned emergency measures would subject the individual or business entity to criminal penalties.

Message from the Mayor
View today's message from Mayor Dan Gelber below and read it in Spanish  here .
UPDATE: Hybrid Testing Site
Due to possible inclement weather this weekend, the State will stop all COVID-19 testing at the Miami Beach Convention Center site f rom Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17 . The State will reopen COVID-19 testing on Monday, May 18 at 9 a.m., pending weather conditions.

The COVID-19 testing facility at the Miami Beach Convention Center campus now has the capacity for up to 750 tests per day , previously 400. Testing is FREE and available to anyone, 18 years or older, regardless of COVID-19 symptoms. A patient that has been tested is welcome to be retested at any time.

For more information on testing and testing for homebound seniors view the 'Testing' tab on our Coronavirus dedicated webpage .
Reopening Miami Beach
Tomorrow, May 15, we’ll be hosting a webinar to discuss the first phase of reopening Miami Beach.

Friday, May 15
3 PM

Panelists include, Mayor Dan Gelber, Jerry Libbin of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, James Kohnstamm of the Beacon Council, J. Glenn Morris, Jr. of the MPH&TM and Bill Talbert, President of the GMCVB

To participate/provide comments, tune in here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83083334971

Or call in via phone 929.205.6099 or 877.853.5257 (Toll Free) | Webinar ID is 830 8333 4971.
Facebook Live
Commissioner Michael Góngora will host a Facebook Live in Spanish tomorrow, May 15 to discuss the latest on COVID-19 with Assistant City Manager Alina Hudak, Miami Beach PD Spokesperson Ernesto Rodriguez and Alex Fernandez from the Police/Citizens Committee.

Friday, May 15
4 PM

Tune into the Commissioner's Facebook Live via his account  here .
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, May 15
4 PM - 5 PM
Register today to obtain access to this workshop, as we discuss bird conservation.

 Click  here to register now.
Drive-Thru Food Distribution
Feeding South Florida and Commissioner David Richardson will host a drive-thru food distribution Saturday, May 16.

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.

Saturday, May 16
9 AM - 11 AM
2100 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
Entrance on 21 Street and Collins Avenue

The City of Miami Beach is also offering food assistance to qualifying residents who have lost their employment and are experiencing food insecurity. Please visit  www.miamibeachfl.gov/food  to fill out the required form.
72 Street Community Complex
Join the City of Miami Beach for a virtual presentation on the 72 Street Community Complex project, which will be located at 299 72 Street.

Tuesday, May 19
6 PM

Participate via Zoom webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87017021573 or by telephone 888.475.4499 (toll free) . The Webinar ID is 870 1702 1573.
Rent Relief Fund
Starting Monday, May 18, 2020 , residents who have fallen behind in rent payments as a result of job loss can apply for the city's rent relief fund by calling the Office of Housing and Community Services to schedule an appointment at 305.673.7491.

Staff will inform callers of the required documentation to bring to the appointment. Once staff has a complete application with all required documentation, the application will be reviewed for eligibility. Applicants will be provided with correspondence to provide to their respective landlord that an application for rent assistance has been filed with the City of Miami Beach. Once the file is approved, a check will be mailed to the landlord within 7-10 business days.

The City will provide assistance to households earning no more than 80% AMI until funds are exhausted. Below are details on each program, including eligibility requirements.  Click here  for a checklist of documents needed to apply for tenant-based rental assistance.

For more information, visit the "Rent Assistance" tab on our dedicated Coronavirus webpage .
Prepworks for SAT/ACT
Prepworks in partnership with the City of Miami Beach are proud to provide online adaptive prep programs for the SAT and ACT. Prepworks is expanding free temporary access to online adaptive programs which includes: practice tests, performance level specific modules, reports and virtual office hours.

Access is available now through August 31, 2020. To access:
  • Visit https://els.prepworks.com/mylogin/register
  • Enter code: MB_CV2020
  • Type in name and email, this email will become your username (please note your course will appear 24 hours after registration)
  • Go to: els.preworks.com
  • Username: type in your email
  • Password: changeme (create your private password)

This is a self paced course, begin by taking Practice Test #1. Complete modules in SAT or ACT Math and English each week leading up to your official test. If you need help, email [email protected]

There will be a parent information session on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. via Zoom, click here .
Get Counted!
Now more than ever it's important to get counted! For the first time in Census history, you can now fill out the form online as well as by phone or mail.

Responding is fast, easy, safe and important and it’s key to shaping the future of your community.

Visit my2020census.gov and make sure you get counted.

If you don’t know your Census ID number, you can still complete the questionnaire. Follow the following steps:
  • Click on “Start Questionnaire”
  • Click “If you don’t have your Census ID”
  • Then proceed to enter your residential address

Don't waive your right to be counted, fill out the Census today. Click here to view the information in Spanish.
Facial Covering Requirements
 Face coverings  MUST be worn at all essential retail and commercial businesses. If you are visiting one of our open parks/greenspaces and/or beachwalks/baywalks, you must wear a face covering unless social distancing can be achieved.

This does not apply to children under the age of 2, person's who have trouble breathing due to chronic pre-existing conditions or persons engaged in strenuous physical activity.

As of today, May 11, all city parks and tennis centers that are currently open will now close at 8 p.m. South Pointe park has also reopened today. It will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be closed on the weekends.

Click here for a full listing of parks/greenspace openings and view below facial covering requirement details.  Click here to learn how you can easily make your own face covering.
 Customer Service
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 [email protected]
To help keep you informed on the latest details of this ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic , the city has created a dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage. We encourage you to continuously visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus f or the most up-to-date information, including a list of frequently asked questions , important resources, impacts to city services and more.
Below is an ongoing summary of updates from the City of Miami Beach.

Miami Beach Resource Center
Has your business or job been impacted by coronavarius pandemic? The City of Miami Beach is here to help! Please email your contact information and inquiry to [email protected] and one of our resource agents will assist you.
You can also view some helpful tools and resources for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on Governor DeSantis' Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Program and more on our dedicated business portal .

Meals for Seniors
If you are a senior citizen 60 years or older and are having problems getting meals, please call Miami-Dade County’s 311 Call Center between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m . and you will be immediately patched in with their Emergency Operations Center to get you the meals or other services that you may need. If you are not a senior, we still encourage you to share this message with any senior you may know.

Miami-Dade Public Schools Meal Distribution
Nautilus Middle School has replaced Miami Beach Senior High as the meal distribution center for Miami-Dade Public Schools grab-and-go meals in our community.

Those in need can pick-up meals from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, click here  for more information and other school locations. Free meals for kids are also available through  FLIPANY, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services  and  Feeding Florida.

Impacted Meetings/Events
For a full list of impacted meetings and events, please visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus .

Miami Beach Restaurants - Takeout and Delivery
The City of Miami Beach is maintaining the general curfew throughout the city beginning at midnight each night, but permited restaurants to continue to operate their kitchens after midnight, for delivery services only .


Created to help out local restaurants,  Miami Eats  has now expanded its efforts to also support your local front-line medical staff, police and fire first-responders through  Meals for Heroes Miami

Stay Informed
The City of Miami Beach remains committed to ensuring the safety and public health of our residents, visitors and local businesses. As the information is changing rapidly pertaining to COVID-19, the administration is conducting daily interdepartmental calls to monitor the progression of novel coronavirus COVID-19 to ensure that we stay informed and respond when needed. We are also closely following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).

For updated information on the city’s efforts, please visit: www.MiamiBeachFl.gov/coronavirus . We will also post updated messages via email , Nextdoor , Facebook, Twitter and via text message (text MBAlert to 888777).