Village Updates

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR FRIDAY UPDATE

Key News

April 10, 2020

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

Good Afternoon, VKB Residents
Today is Friday, April 10, 2020 and we are in week four of the Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Response.
Every day the Village of Key Biscayne Incident Command practices the same response priorities:
  • To exercise an abundance of caution to PROTECT our community: Our number one priority is to protect the health and safety of everyone in the Village of Key Biscayne.
  • To continue to COMMUNICATE Village-wide efforts at containing the spread of the virus: We strive to deliver updated information to maintain awareness and public readiness, and to combat misinformation.
  • To take necessary ACTION to keep the Village of Key Biscayne safe and healthy. Our primary goal is to encourage Village residents to engage in behavior that limits the spread of the virus.
Remember
  • We are going to get through this time. The Village government is responding well, we’re unified in our efforts and we’re making the best possible decisions to protect the health and safety of the residents.
  • We all need to work together. EACH of us is responsible for ALL of us. Our personal decisions to practice social distancing and to stay safe at home impact everyone around us. The ultimate success of every attempt to protect our health and safety depends on each of us.
  • We’re committed to communicating with you. We’ve added pages to the Village website to provide more information that is easier to find. We continue with daily updates to everyone who has signed up for them. We’re expending every effort to keep you informed.
  • Things will get harder. Every Agency responding to this pandemic is indicating that April will be a tough month. Our community’s resilience will be tested in every way.
  • Things will last longer. We all want a quick end to this pandemic, but we need to be ready for a long haul. Even if we flatten the curve, we won’t have stopped the spread of COVID-19. This event will impact us all for a long time.
  • We are succeeding together! We can flatten the curve. We can socially distance. We can stay-at-home. And we will succeed!
Bunny Visits
To accommodate as many residents as possible, the Village of Key Biscayne Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department, along with Key Biscayne Fire Rescue and Key Biscayne Police Department, will be bringing the Bunny to our community this Sunday, April 12, 2020 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Bunny will be going street to street and waving to you. Sirens or music will alert you that the Bunny is on their way! Make sure to stay at the front of your house with your camera ready to get a picture of the Bunny. Please don’t walk outside the front door of your house. Your safety and the safety of our neighbors are our first priority. We hope to bring you a smile.
New Kid on the Block
The Key Biscayne Community Center is making its grand debut on Instagram! More than ever, we need a sense of community, and just because KBCC continues to be closed until further notice, doesn’t mean we can’t connect with our Village family virtually. Follow us on IG @KeyBiscayneCommunityCenter to receive updates, wellness resources, weekly challenge, exercise and more. #KBStayHome #IslandCommunity #VillageLove
Current Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Status
The Chart above illustrates current number of positive cases on Key Biscayne, from Florida Division of Emergency Management’s daily COVID-19 Data Reports.

Village of Key Biscayne Cases as Percentage of the Population
The chart above compares Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Cases with other Florida communities.
Cases on the Key
Case numbers are provided by the Florida Department of Health. As of 10:00 a.m. today, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) report indicates 50 positive COVID-19 cases on the Key. Data in this report is provisional and subject to change.
  • We do not receive personal information about infected residents from the Department of Health.
  • Click here for the latest FDOH data. The above graphs reflect data from these reports.
University of Miami COVID-19 Study
Miami-Dade County residents will be randomly selected to determine rate of exposure in our County. If you get a phone call from (786) 206-0079, it’s important that you pick up.
The State of Florida Issues COVID-19 Updates
The State of Florida’s response to COVID-19 Update from April 9, 2020

Latest Updates
 
In-Village Testing Suspended
We have temporarily suspended the pilot mobile COVID-19 testing program. We are working toward a strategic testing program that is sustainable and helps guide our response efforts. To learn more about existing testing site locations in South Florida, please visit the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 webpage.
Of note, the Key Biscayne Fire Department is not offering COVID-19 testing at this time and it is not a testing site location. For your safety, please do not show up at the fire station. Contact our KB COVID Hotline (305) 365-8910 instead. Follow us on Instagram @keybiscaynefire for updates.
Emergency Order 20-6 to take effect on Monday, April 13
If you are outside of your home, we encourage you to wear a facial covering. If you are entering an Essential Business you must wear a facial covering while inside.
The Village Manager executed Emergency Order 20-6 effective 8:00 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2020, in effect through Sunday, May 3, 2020.
Emergency Order 20-6 Mandates facial covering for employees and customers at all times while inside Essential Businesses.
Emergency Order 20-6 Encourages facial covering for all persons that are outside of their homes.
Remember, the general public should not acquire or utilize N95 or equivalent/higher rated masks, as those are critical supplies for health care workers, police, fire, emergency management, or other persons engaged in life/safety activities.
 
Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 20-20
Effective as of 11:59 p.m. last night, April 9, 2020, persons working in or visiting grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles, vehicles for hire, and locations where social distancing measures are not possible shall wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC.

Domestic abuse is never OK
Sometimes stress brings out the best in us, but sometimes it brings out the worst. For many, leaving their home was an important refuge that is no longer available to them. If you or someone you know is in danger from domestic violence, resources remain available to help.
  • Village of Key Biscayne Police are trained to immediately respond to domestic violence calls. Call 911 for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also reach the Department at (305) 365-5555 and the Dispatcher on duty 24/7 will assist you.
  • KBPD Victim Rights Brochure in English and Español
  • Miami-Dade County offers free holistic and coordinated services through multiple violence prevention and intervention services programs, which are geared toward increasing the safety of victims and reducing the potential for further violence.
  • Florida Domestic Violence 24-Hour Crisis Hotline:1(800) 500-1119
  • Miami-Dade County Coordinated Victims Assistance Center: (305) 285-5900
Protecting the Village: Non-resident Cyclists
Beginning April 2, KBPD has been turning away non-resident cyclists. In the first four days of the police department’s response efforts to curb the entrance of non-resident cyclists to the Village, officers asked over 1,500 cyclists to turn around. Police are reporting that cyclists are respecting the request not to enter the Village and there are fewer cyclists coming this way every day.
Protecting the Village: Construction Sites
All multi-family dwelling construction sites within the Village were ordered closed pursuant to Emergency Order 20-5 effective since Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. Multi-family dwellings are defined by Village Code of Ordinances as a dwelling occupied by three or more families and/or dwelling comprised of three or more dwelling units.
All construction sites must comply with social distancing requirements per CDC guidance. Construction workers must wear protective gear consistent with industry standards.
Code Compliance will be red tagging open construction sites that are not complying with social distancing or protective gear, which is the first enforcement step.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The Key Biscayne Police Department and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue are equipped to safely serve our community.
See Something, Say Something
Public safety is one of the core pillars of our community. We encourage you to join the Village in our efforts to keep Key Biscayners home and safe #KBStayHome. If you see someone not practicing social distance, please report it to KBPD by calling (305) 365-5555. Failure to follow Emergency Orders puts us all at greater risk. #ItTakesAVillage
 
Mental Health and Stress Management
It’s important to take care of yourself. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Even during isolation, please know that you are not alone in this and that your community supports you.
Check out the following helpful resources:
Village of Key Biscayne Department Updates
Permit Applications Allowed
The Village of Key Biscayne’s Building, Zoning and Planning Department will be allowing new permit applications for emergency repairs. To learn how the department is currently operating and to learn more about new permits being issued at this time click here. To open the Building Application Permit form click here.
Connecting to Sanitary Sewer
The Department of Environmental Resources (DERM) is intending to grant an extension to the deadline to abandon septic and connect to sanitary sewer. DERM is still determining how long the deadline should be extended. We will let residents know what their determination is for the extended deadline when that information becomes available.
Water Restrictions
Did you know that Miami-Dade County has permanent water restrictions? Click here to view the guidelines.

Working with Community Partners
 
Key Biscayne Community Foundation
  • For Seniors: 150 volunteers have signed up, 62 of them are actively helping seniors collect groceries, medications, or run general errands on the Key. Currently 82 seniors are being supported by the Adopt a Senior program made possible by VKB in partnership with KBCF. With the help of Village Parks & Rec Senior Programming and KBCF staff, we contacted over 850 seniors to date.
  • Freebee was making approximately 37 deliveries a day
  • Community sewing circles have made 100s of masks for seniors, essential workers and other community members
  • There are web resources related to family and individual activities for those that are social-distancing and isolating. For more KBCF Resources: https://www.kbcf.org/covid19-resources/
Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce
Website Resources
View all response updates and other information on the Village of Key Biscayne website:
Have a great weekend!
-Your Village of Key Biscayne
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