Tuesday, July 21, 2020
The City of Miami Beach is working hard to keep our residents and visitors informed on the latest updates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 citation.

We urge everyone to also continue practicing social distancing and meticulously wash your hands regularly. The Countywide curfew for the remainder of the city, excluding the 8 p.m. curfew for the South Beach Entertainment District, remains in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

Message from the Mayor
View today's message from Mayor Dan Gelber below and read it in Spanish  here.
Virtual Specialty Summer Camp
In case you missed it , the Parks and Recreation Department will be closing its summer camp sites effective Monday, July 27, 2020.

If you're looking for an alternative, 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
COVID-19 & Antibody Testing

Homebound Testing
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is offering in home testing for senior citizens and individuals over the age of 18 with disabilities who are experiencing symptoms common to the coronavirus and are homebound. Appointments can only be booked 24 hours in advance. This system is available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. Click here to register and to learn more.

The City of Miami Beach continues to offer homebound testing to all residents, regardless of age. To make an appointment, please call the city's Customer Service Center at 305.604.CITY (2489).

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 .

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. 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.

Visit our 'Testing' tab to view detailed information on all testing locations and further details.
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 22.

Wednesday, July 22
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
Design Review Board Meeting
The Design Review Board will  meet tomorrow, July 22  at 9 a.m.  virtually via Zoom   her e:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82346878643. 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  312.626.6799 or 888.475.4499 (toll free). The Webinar ID is 823 4687 8643 . Press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak.
Meet the Candidates: District 3 Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Meet the District 3 School Board Candidates for Miami-Dade County Public Schools during a live webinar tomorrow, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Our local Miami-Dade County Public School Board member, Dr. Marty Karp, will be ending his 16-year term of office and there are five candidates for his seat.

Wednesday, July 22
10 AM - 11 AM
To register, click here .

Candidates include, Lucia Baez-Geller, Dr. Raquel Bild-Libbin, Marcella Gomez-Bogomolni, Joshua Levy and Russ Rywell.

The panel will be moderated by Michael Putney, Senior Political Reporter, Local 10 and columnist for the Miami Herald.

We invite residents to participate and have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates through the Chat Room.
Community Feedback Webinar
Please join us for a public webinar to gather feedback from the community on the City of Miami Beach Building Department.

Thursday, July 23, 2020
10 AM to 12 PM

To register for this event, click here .
North Beach Social Distancing Plan
Join the City of Miami Beach to discuss and provide input on the proposed North Beach Social Distancing plan for pedestrians and bicyclists. City staff is reviewing a proposal to create a single-lane closure on Collins Avenue in North Beach (63 Street to 87 Street) to create a dedicated lane for pedestrians and bicyclists to comply with social distancing needs.

Thursday, July 23, 2020
12 PM
Join the virtual webinar online via the Zoom platform: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88250249106
Password: 684459

Or participate by telephone: 877.853.5257 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 882 5024 9106

For more information or to provide public comment, please contact Kevin Pulido, Neighborhood Affairs Manager at 786.568.6051 or via email at KevinPulido@MiamiBeachFl.gov
Miami-Dade County Emergency Rental
Assistance Program - EXTENDED
The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), created by the Miami-Dade County Commissioners has extended the application until Friday, July 24 at 5 p.m.
   
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. To submit an application, visit:  https://bit.ly/3iHM7E7  .
Commission & Finance and Economic Resiliency Meetings
The next Commission meeting is being held  Friday, June 24 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/87343999500

  • How to provide spoken public comment during the City Commission Meeting: The public may provide spoken comment by dialing telephone 301.715.8592 or 888.475.4499 (Toll Free). The Webinar ID is 873 4399 9500#. 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 Town Hall Meeting
Join Commissioner Steven Meiner for a virtual Town Hall Meeting to discuss public safety and preview of the Wednesday, July 29 Commission Meeting.

Tuesday, July 28
5:30 PM
To participate/provide comment, join via webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85436672844

Or via telephone: 301.715.8592 or 888.475.4499 (toll free), Webinar ID: 854 3667 2844
Miami-Dade County Help Line
Residents who need temporary hotel rooms to isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic can call a new “help line” for assistance. The number to call is 305.614.1716 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

Throughout the pandemic, the County has been providing hotel rooms to healthcare workers, first responders and homeless individuals, among others, who need to isolate for short periods. The County is also providing isolation rooms at hotels for patients recommended by the Florida Department of Health and area hospitals.

The new “help line” expands the program to residents — with or without symptoms— needing to isolate from family members while they wait for test results, as well as those who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive.
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 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).