Updated 07/02/2020

State of Florida - Executive Order 20-159 –  Limited Extension of Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief - issued June 30, 2020 - Extends Executive Order 20-94 until 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 2020. Effective immediately.

Broward County - Emergency Order 20-20: Restaurant and Food Establishment Limited Hours, Facial Coverings Requirements - Issued on July 1, 2020.
The Order states - no establishment permitted to serve alcohol for on-site consumption shall serve alcohol between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m. for on-site consumption. In addition, no establishment that provides on-site dining shall permit on-site dining between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m.  

The Order also states - Facial Coverings Required in All Public Spaces Where Social Distancing Cannot Be Maintained.  All persons in Broward County must wear a facial covering in public spaces while outside the  geographical boundaries of their residence if social distancing of at least six feet (6') between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained, unless expressly excepted herein. Facial coverings must cover the person's nose and mouth and comply with the CDC recommendations available here. Emergency Order 20-20 is effective as of 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020.

Broward County - Emergency Order 20-19 to Close Beaches - Issued on June 29, 2020.
Emergency Order 20-19 officially closes the beaches from 12:01 AM on Friday, July 3, through 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 5. The Order also clearly identifies the entities authorized to enforce the closure and sets forth consequences for non-compliance, including civil and criminal penalties. Read More Here

Broward County - Emergency Order 20-18 - Issued on June 26, 2020.
Executive Order 20-18 outlined penalties for establishments that fail to comply with Emergency Orders mandating sanitization, social distancing, facial coverings and other requirements intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In addition to being subject to the penalties set forth in Section 8-56 of the County's Code of Ordinances, any establishment (as defined in Emergency Order 20-12) that is cited by the applicable code enforcement or law enforcement authority for operating in a manner inconsistent with or otherwise in violation of any Broward County Emergency Order shall close immediately. Read More Here

State of Florida - Emergency Order 20-09  - Issued on June 26, 2020. Suspends the “on premises” consumption of alcohol at bars statewide. Effective immediately.

The order states: 

• All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from such sales of alcoholic beverages, shall suspend the sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.    
• Bars can continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off premises. 
• Vendors who are also licensed as a public food service establishment, or “restaurants” may continue to operate for on-premises consumption of food and beverages at tables in accordance with E.O. 20-139, as long as these restaurants derive 50% or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.  (E.O. 20-139 requires restaurants to operate at 50% capacity indoors, allows for outdoor seating, and all with social distancing measures in place). 

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Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry has issued Emergency Order 20-13, on Friday, May 22, which extends Phase 1 reopening guidelines to beaches, commercial gyms and fitness centers, hotels and other commercial lodging, with restrictions, effective Tuesday, May 26.
These re-openings are in addition to those outlined in Emergency Order 20-12 issued May 21. Because COVID-19, however, remains a serious threat to public safety, the social distancing, facial covering and sanitation requirements remain in place for businesses that reopen, and the individuals who patronize them. More…

Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry has issued Emergency Order 20-12, effective May 21st, 2020. 
The order consolidates directives contained in several previous Orders and clarifying business and resident responsibilities for adherence to social distancing, facial covering, and sanitation requirements as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More…

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Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 2020-122 on May 14, 2020.
Authorizes Broward and Miami-Dade Counties to enter Phase 1 of re-opening (known as the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida' s Recovery)

Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry has issued Emergency Order 20-10, effective Friday, May 18th, 2020, 12:01 AM. Sets forth guidelines for the following non-essential businesses that are included in Phase 1, and are able to open with several restrictions. These are as follows:

• Continuation of the Required CDC Guidelines: First, all must continue to adhere to CDC Guidelines regarding social distancing and facial coverings. Continue to uphold the prohibition that groups of more than ten (10) people are not permitted to congregate in public spaces that do not allow for the require social distancing.
• Professional businesses that are allowed up to and through this order, must also continue to adhere to the guidelines set forth, such as limited public access and to encourage teleworking. Additional restrictions on general business requirements can be found in attachment 1.
• Restaurants and Food Establishments: Restaurants and Food Establishments must comply with the six foot (6’) distancing requirement and comply with the 50% of the maximum indoor seating capacity. This allows for indoor and outdoor seating, that combined shall not exceed the existing total maximum occupancy for the establishment. Outdoor seating areas will be subject to additional limitations required by the applicable municipality. Specific guidelines are included in attachment 2, within the Broward County order.
• Retail Establishments: Retail establishments selling goods other than personal services, can open at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of indoor occupancy. Specific guidelines are included in attachment 3, within the Broward County order.
• Personal Services - Barbershops, cosmetology salons, and cosmetology specialty salons: (businesses and establishments providing personal services by licensed professionals) may operate provided all operations comply with the extensive guidelines included in attachment 4, within the Broward County order.
• Movie Theaters: Existing licensed drive-in outdoor movie theaters can operate at up to 50% capacity provided they comply with the guidelines included in attachment 5, within the Broward County order. Indoor movie theaters remain closed.
• Community Rooms, Fitness Centers, and Gyms: Community Rooms, Fitness Centers, and Gyms located within multi-family housing developments or community associations can operate at their option with restrictions, including a fifty percent (50%) maximum occupancy, residents only, no guests allowed. These may operate provided they comply with the guidelines included in attachment 6, within the Broward County order. Hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and shower facilities remain closed.
• Public Community Pools and Private Club Pools: Public pools and private club pools (including municipal pools) can open, with specific restrictions found in attachment 7, within the Broward County order. The water features at facilities operated by Broward County Parks and Recreation remain closed.
• Museums: Museums can open with a maximum 25% capacity, with restrictions on any component of the museum that are interactive, including child play areas, which must remain closed. Museums may operate provided they comply with the guidelines included in attachment 8, within the Broward County order.
• Enforcement and Penalties: Violations will be prosecuted in the same manner as misdemeanors are prosecuted including fines of up to $500 per violation and imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, or both.
• The effective date of this order in Broward County is May 18th, (12:01 am).
• The Broward County Emergency Order is applicable to all incorporated and unincorporated areas in the County. It was made in coordination with municipalities in Broward County. However, it does allow municipalities to establish more stringent standards within their jurisdictions, to the extent permitted by law.

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Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 2020-114 on May 9, 2020.
Extends Florida’s state of emergency declaration for an additional 60-days.  

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Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry has issued Emergency Order 20-09, effective Friday, May 8, 2020. In summary, the Order clarifies some provisions of Emergency Order 20-08 and:

• Extends the existing closure of Broward County beaches.
• Clarifies that marinas, boat docks, ramps, and other launching venues in Parks in Broward County may operate consistent with the guidelines set out in the previous order.
• Limits operation of a jet ski to one rider, or multiple riders, if those riders reside in the same household.
• Clarifies charter vessel’s boat capacity requirements.

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Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-112 on April 29, 2020​​
Phase 1 of the "Safe, Smart, Step-by-Step plan

Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-111 on April 29, 2020​​ 
Limited Extension of Essential Services and Activities and Vacation Rental Prohibition

The Re-Open Miramar Task Force is currently working on a comprehensive plan to reopen the City in three phases.
The plan will be shared with the City Commission prior to May 15th. 

Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-08 on April 28, 2020. 
-Effective as of 12:01AM, Wednesday, April 29, 2020
The Emergency Order authorizes limited reopening of select parks, natural areas, boat ramps, marinas, golf courses, pools and other amenities. 

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City of Miramar Extension of State of Emergency Executive Order Declared in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic 
- Issued April 25, 2020 for seven consecutive days.
Read the full Extension here.

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City of Miramar Extension of State of Emergency Executive Order Declared in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic 
- Issued April 18, 2020 for seven consecutive days.
Read the full Extension here.

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City of Miramar Extension of State of Emergency Executive Order Declared in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic 
- Issued April 11, 2020 for seven consecutive days.
Read the full Extension here.

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Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-07 on April 10, 2020.
- Effective as of 12:01AM Saturday, April 11, 2020
The Emergency Order instructs all persons in Broward County to wear a facial covering when visiting essential businesses for services and are required for those who are providing essential services during in-person interactions with the public. This order does not apply to young children under the age of two, and individuals who have difficulty breathing, nor to public safety, fire, and life safety personnel, as their Personal Protective Equipment requirements would be governed by their respective agencies.  

It is important to note that the face covering can be constructed with any material, however, Broward County strongly recommends the utilization of CDC guidelines. Proper disposal of used masks and other disposable personal protective safety items, such as gloves, must be discarded in garbage containers. 

The provisions of Emergency Order 20-07 will define minimum standards in Broward County, but municipalities can establish more stringent measures within their jurisdiction, but only to the extent permitted by law.

Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-06 on April 9, 2020.
- Effective as of 12:01AM Friday, April 10, 2020
The Emergency Order clarifies essential businesses and essential services, as well as encourages essential businesses to provide enhanced sanitary practices at their locations. 

The Governor’s Executive Order 20-89 issued on March 20th requires Broward County to restrict public access to business and facilities deemed nonessential under Miami-Dade Emergency Order 07-20. The Governor’s subsequent Executive Order 20-91 (attached) issued on March 30th orders that all persons in Florida limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their homes to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities. The current order clarifies and codifies the Governor's order to make it applicable to Broward County.

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City of Miramar Issues Order for Individuals to Wear Face Coverings to Limit the Spread of the Coronavirus
- Effective 12:01 AM on Monday, April 13, 2020
Miramar, FL (Thursday, April 9, 2020) – Miramar City Manager, Vernon E. Hargray issued an amended and restated Order effective 12:01 a.m. on April 13, 2020 requiring individuals to wear a nose and mouth covering in grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies and restaurants. All individuals providing delivery services are also required to wear a form of covering over their noses and mouths while making deliveries.

Read the full Press Release here.
Read the full Emergency Order here. 

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City of Miramar Extension of State of Emergency Executive Order Declared in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic 
- Issued April 4, 2020 for seven consecutive days.
Read the full Extension here.

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On April 2, 2020, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-92, which provides for an update to Section 4 of Executive Order 20-91.

The Order includes an amendment to Section 4, which reads:
“This Order shall supersede any conflicting official action or order issued by local officials in response to COVID-19.”

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Miramar City Manager Issues ‘Safer‐At‐Home’ Order for All Miramar Residents
- Effective 12:01 AM on Saturday, March 28, 2020 -
Miramar, FL (Friday, March 27, 2020) – Miramar City Manager Vernon E. Hargray today announced a Safer‐At‐Home Order requiring individuals to remain in place at home or place of residence, with exceptions for essential work and activities. People must maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing when conducting an allowed activity. The Order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28th and will remain in full force and effect until terminated, in order to further contain the spread of COVID‐19 in Miramar and Broward County.

Read the full Press Release here.
Read the full Emergency Order here.

City of Miramar Issues Notice of Virtual Commission Meeting on April 1, 2020
Miramar, FL (Friday, March 27, 2020) - The City of Miramar continues to share new information as the COVID-19 health crisis continues to affect our community. The City is urging everyone to stay at home and take measures to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19. On Wednesday, April 1st at 7:00 p.m., the City will host a virtual Commission meeting where residents and businesses will be granted public access via phone, web and live stream.

Read the full Press Release here.
Read the Virtual Public Meeting instructions here.

City of Miramar Urges Residents and Businesses to Practice Social Distancing and Work from Home
Miramar, FL (Tuesday, March 24, 2020)– As part of its evolving response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the City of Miramar has closed additional city facilities to the public, while maintaining essential staff, to follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health. Read more...

City of Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam and City Manager, Vernon E. Hargray Sign an Executive Order to Declare a State of Emergency in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Miramar, FL (Saturday, March 14, 2020) – City of Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam and City Manager, Vernon E. Hargray signed an executive order to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Messam stressed that it is extremely important that residents and businesses in the City of Miramar know that the City is taking every precautionary measure to ensure their safety and welfare.

“Our top priority is protecting the health, safety and welfare of our residents and businesses,” Mayor Messam emphasized.

The Mayor issued a call to action for every member of the city, all residents, city employees and businesses to take immediate steps to help stop the spread of this deadly virus. He urged the community to follow the advice of the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Read More...

Important Documents

• Signed Declaration of Emergency 03142020
• City of Miramar Code Section 22- 86_6 Civil Emergencies

Updates:

• City of Miramar Coronavirus Update March 18 2020
• City of Miramar Coronavirus Update March 12 2020

Updated 06/15/2020

​New Walmart Testing Locations:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 AM to 9 AM, weather permitting, Pharmacy drive-thru window at the following Walmart Neighborhood Market stores: 
o 12700 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach, FL 33436
o 1499 S. Dixie Highway, Homestead, FL 33033
o 3791 N.W. 167th St., Miami Gardens, FL 33055
o 14325 SW 268th St., Naranja, FL 33032
o 4400 Forest Hill Blvd., Palm Springs Village, FL 33406
o 3045 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34953
o 902 S.W. Saint Lucie West Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

- You must first qualify for COVID-19 screening and schedule an appointment at: MyQuestCOVIDTest.com. On-site scheduling will be available for those who need assistance with scheduling.
- Testing eligibility please see CDC guidelines: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria

BROWARD COUNTY

Open for individuals that meet certain criteria. Visit Broward County online for the list of criteria and to see if the site requires appointments. broward.org/Coronavirus/Pages/Collection-Sites.aspx.

Broward County Offers Mobile and In-Home COVID-19 Testing

• Broward County, the Florida Department of Health in Broward (FDOH-Broward), American Medical Response (AMR) and Century Ambulance Services (CAS) are set to launch, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, a new mobile/in-home testing program that continues efforts to increase the number of COVID-19 tests that health professionals are able to administer to residents.
• Residents eligible for the new testing option include homebound elderly or individuals with disabilities who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and cannot leave their homes to access one of the drive-up or walk-up test collection sites.
• Initial hours of operation will be from 9AM - Noon, and 1PM - 4PM, Monday through Friday. AMR and CAS will each collect up to 12 specimens per day but will have the capability to ramp up staffing to complete up to 25 tests per day. Florida Department of Health in Broward will be prepared to receive and process up to 50 specimens daily from AMR and CAS.
• FDOH-Broward will manage the overall testing process, provide training to the collection teams, and provide specimen collection kits and any materials needed to package, store and transport specimens. FDOH-Broward will also notify residents of test results, and conduct contact tracing for those individuals that test positive for COVID-19.
• AMR and CAS will provide vehicles and health professionals to collect specimens using nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs. Specimens will be transported to the FDOH daily, according to all professional standards for specimen handling and transport. AMR and CAS will follow all infection control recommendations of the CDC.
• Residents who believe they are eligible for the mobile/in-home testing option should call the Broward County COVID-19 Call Center at 954-357-9500 for a pre-qualifying assessment. The Call Center is open from 8AM to 6PM seven days a week.

CB SMITH PARK
Drive-Thru Testing Available
Pre-registration required: 954-276-4680
900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines, 7:30AM – 5PM daily
Broward.org/CoronaVirus/pages/CBsmithDriveThru.aspx

CLEVELAND CLINIC 
Krupa Center, 3250 Meridian Parkway, Weston, 8AM - 5PM, Monday - Friday
Pre-registration required. Call 954-659-5951 to make appointment.
The Cleveland Clinic will be accepting patients with or without insurance.
My.clevelandclinic.org/landing/preparing-for-coronavirus

FESTIVAL FLEA MARKET/ BROWARD HEALTH
Drive-Thru Testing Available
By Appointment Only, 954-320-5730
2900 Sample Road, Pompano Beach, 8AM – 4:30PM, Monday - Saturday

CENTRAL BROWARD PARK/BROWARD COUNTY STADIUM/BROWARD HEALTH
Drive-Thru Testing Available
Pre-registration required: 954-320-5730
3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, FL 33311, 9AM – 1PM, Tuesday - Saturday

MITCHELL MOORE PARK
Walk-Up Testing Available
Call to schedule an appointment: 954-412-7300
901 NW 10th Street, Pompano Beach, 9AM – 6PM, Daily, closed Thursdays

URBAN LEAGUE
Walk-Up Testing Available
Call to schedule an appointment: 954-412-7300
560 NW 27th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
For latest updates on Miami Dade County sites visit:
Miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/home.page 

HARD ROCK STADIUM
Drive-Thru Testing Available
Pre-registration required: 305-252-4820
East Parking Lot - 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, FL 33056, 9AM – 5PM Daily

COMMUNITY HEALTH OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.
Pre-registration required: 305-252-4820
Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216 Street, Miami, 9AM – 12PM, Monday - Friday
The cost of the test is $60 to $100. CHI says it is covered by insurance.
CHI plans to add a second testing location at its Marathon Health Center by March 23.

HIALEAH LARKIN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Schedule an appointment at cvtesting.larkinhospital.com
1475 West 49th Place, Hialeah, 9AM – 5PM, Monday – Friday

MARLINS PARK
Drive-Thru Testing Available
Testing is by appointment only: (305) 499-8767
Marlins Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125, 9 AM Daily
Miami-Dade residents only

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Walk-Up Testing Available
Call to schedule an appointment: 304-499-8767
14500 NE 11th Avenue, Miami, 9AM – 5PM, Monday – Saturday

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY YOUTH FAIRGROUNDS
Drive-Thru Testing Available
Call to schedule an appointment: 304-499-8767
10901 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33165, Opens 9AM, Daily

SOUTH DADE GOVERNMENT CENTER
Drive-Thru Testing Available
Call to schedule an appointment: 304-499-8767
Lot E behind building - 10710 SW 211th Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189, Opens 9AM Daily

AMELIA EARHART PARK
Call to schedule an appointment 305-COVID19 after 9 AM
401 E. 65th Street, Hialeah, FL 33013, 9AM – 5PM, Monday – Saturday

JESSICA TRICE COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM
Call 305-694-6268 to make an appointment

MEDRIGHT URGENT CARE
Call to schedule an appointment: 305-735-3909
4621 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140, 10AM – 6PM, Sunday – Friday

FLORIDA CITY
450 W. Davis Parkway, Florida City, FL 33034
10AM – 1PM, Tuesday and Thursday only

COMMUNITY HEALTH OF SOUTH FLORIDA: LOREN ROBERTS PARK IN FLORIDA CITY
627 NW 6th Avenue, Florida City, FL 33034
10AM – 1PM, Tuesday and Thursday only

WALGREENS NORTH MIAMI
Schedule an appointment through walgreens.com/coronavirus
14901 NE 6th Avenue, North Miami, FL 33161, 9AM – 5PM Daily

CHARLES HADLEY PARK FOR CITY OF MIAMI RESIDENTS
Drive-Thru Testing Available
Call to schedule an appointment: 305-960-5050

1350 NW 50th Street, Miami, FL 33142

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS

Homebound Testing Available
Call to schedule an appointment: 305-604-2489

VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE RESIDENTS

Residents of Key Biscayne who are ages 65 and older and experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 can call 305-365-8910 for testing information.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES RESIDENTS

www.coralgables.com/covidtesting or 305-460-5401

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html

Updated 06/30/2020

City of Miramar Updates
COVID-19 Testing Site at Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center

• Wednesday, June 18th: 218 tests were administered with no interruptions in service.

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Updated 06/15/2020

City of Miramar Updates
COVID-19 Testing Site at Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center

• Thursday, June 11th: 110 tests were administered with no interruptions in service.

Feeding South Florida and the City of Miramar hosted another food distribution today at Miramar Regional Park. 

• A total of 2,503 food packages were distributed.  
• Click on image for video

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Updated 06/09/2020

City of Miramar Updates
COVID-19 Testing Site at Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center

• Tuesday, June 9th: 71 tests were administered with no interruptions in service.

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Updated 06/04/2020

City of Miramar Updates
COVID-19 Testing Site at Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center

• Thursday, June 4th: 49 tests were administered with no interruptions in service.

Today, the City and Feeding South Florida distributed approximately 2,700 packages of food to the South Florida community. Click the image below to see a video recap of the event.

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Updated 06/02/2020
City of Miramar Updates

COVID-19 Testing Site at Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center

• Tuesday, June 2nd: 59 tests were administered with no interruptions in service.

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Updated 05/28/2020

City of Miramar Updates

COVID-19 Testing Site at Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center

• Thursday, May 28th: 47 tests were administered with no interruptions in service.

Today, the City and Feeding South Florida distributed approximately 2,300 packages of food to the South Florida community. Click the image below to see a video recap of the event.

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Updated 05/26/2020

City of Miramar Updates

COVID-19 Testing Site at Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center

• Monday, May 25th: 32 tests were administered despite inclement weather conditions.
• Tuesday, May 26th: 45 tests were administered with a 30 minute stop due to inclement weather conditions.

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Updated 05/22/2020

City of Miramar Updates

• The COVID-19 testing facility located at the Vernon E. Hargray Youth Enrichment Center processed 87 tests today.

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Re-Open Miramar Task Force - Phase I
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 situation, City of Miramar staff have been diligently working on a plan to reopen the City in a multi-phased approach, to preserve the well-being of employees, residents and businesses alike.

Food Distribution Efforts:
To date, the City of Miramar, in partnership with Feeding South Florida, has provided more than 5,000 food packages to members of the South Florida community. On May 7th, free groceries were distributed to 1,000 first responders in appreciation of their hard work and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summer Camps

Please be advised that effective April 22, 2020, all 2020 Summer Camps normally held at the City of Miramar facilities have been canceled, until further notice. This includes Summer Swim Camp, Sports & M.O.S.T Camp, Specialty Camp, Miramarvels and Little Broadway.

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City of Miramar Extension of State of Emergency Executive Order Declared in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic 
- Issued April 25, 2020 for seven consecutive days. Read the full Extension here.

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• Community Bus Service - Bus Orange and Yellow Routes
  Effective Monday, April 13, 2020, the Community Bus Orange and Yellow Routes will be suspended temporarily until the "stay at home" order is lifted.  The daily hours of operation for the Red and Green will remain the same, 7AM - 10AM, 2PM - 5PM.  In addition, the Transportation Hub is temporarily closed to the public, until further notice.
• Community Services Department: Broward Meals on Wheels South Florida will deliver meals for Seniors that are not current clients within Miramar’s service area. For more information, please call 954-889-2719.
  
• Public Schools: School Resource Officers (SRO) are participating in assisting with the school board breakfast/lunch meal distribution for students and families at the following schools.
  

• Glades Middle School
• AC Perry K-8
• Miramar High School
• Coconut Palm Elementary School

• City Parks, Private Community Parks and Places of Worship/Churches: The Police Community Resource Officers (CRO) conduct daily checks on the city and community pools and parks for emergency order compliance. No concerns have been observed. CROs also work closely with community leaders to ensure compliance with all state and local executive orders.

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Updated 03/27/2020

COMMUNITY BUS SERVICE - Operating on Reduced Schedule 
Beginning Monday, March 30, 2020, the Community Bus Service will operate on a reduced schedule due to COVID-19 and the recommendation that many are following to ‘stay at home’. New operating hours:

Daily: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 
This new schedule will be in effect for 2 weeks or until conditions improve. This schedule is subject to change. 

PUBLIC COMMISSION MEETING - Scheduled April 1, 2020 at 7PM. Maximum of 10 people are allowed in Commission Chambers for Social Distancing. Virtual access is available via phone, website, television, email: Click here for information.

• EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (EM): in conjunction with Fire-Rescue is coordinating the response effort and working with County EM in ensuring that critical supplies needed for City operations are received. EM is also actively monitoring all State updates during this constantly changing event.
• FIRE-RESCUE is prepared and taking all recommended precautions in regards to personal protective equipment (PPE) ensuring the safety of those we serve and our first responders.
• BILL PAYMENT: Cashier/Water Billing: Closed, effective Monday, March 30, 2020. 
  The City will waive the processing fee for online and phone payments, until further notice.  Pay your water bill, permit fees, business tax and other services online at miramarfl.gov/billpayment , by phone 24/7 at 954-602-HELP (4357), by mail or drop box locations. Sign up for e-bill - miramarfl.gov/ebill. 

Drop box locations (include payment with invoice or payment coupon):

• City Hall, 2300 Civic Center Place - A white drop box at the front of the 2200 Building.
• Multi-Service Center, 6700 Miramar Parkway - A white drop box near the cash office drive thru window.
• Sunset Lakes, 2801 SW 186th Avenue - A white drop box on the left side directly across from the main building.
• CHILDCARE: Closed
• SENIOR SERVICES: Closed
• ADULT DAYCARE: Closed
• HAZARD WASTE & ELECTRONIC COLLECTION: Service cancelled through June 2020.
• CITY FACILITIES: Effective Monday, March, 23, 2020, until further notice.
  • City Hall: Closed to the public.
  • Multi-Service Complex: Modified schedule (10am to 4pm), please call 954-889-2719.
  • Community Development (Building/Planning Zoning): If you have business with the Community Development Department, please contact them by e-mail or phone:  
    • Building: buildingpermitclerks@miramarfl.gov or (954) 602-3200
    • Fire: sdsalgado@miramarfl.gov or (954) 602-4882
    • Planning & Zoning: pandz@miramarfl.gov or (954) 602-3264
    • Housing: housing@miramarfl.gov or (954) 602-3247
    • Engineering: engineeringservices@miramarfl.gov or (954) 602-3304
  • Miramar Cultural Center: Box Office Modified Schedule (Noon to 3pm, Tuesdays to Fridays), please contact them by phone: 954-602-4500, prompt 1.
  • City Clerk: Closed to the public.
  • Procurement: Closed to the public.

Updated 06/18/2020

Local/Broward County
Hospital ICU beds in Palm Beach County filling up as coronavirus cases increasing

• As Palm Beach County experienced a jump in new coronavirus cases Thursday, some county hospitals reported their intensive beds are completely full.
• Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration tracks the number of hospital beds available countywide and shows Palm Beach County overall has 74% of its 319 beds occupied, Looking closer at Palm Beach County hospitals, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Palms West Hospital, and Wellington Regional Medical Center have no adult ICU beds available, according to the AHCA data.
• Statewide, new hospitalizations have risen daily in Florida for the last three days and the number of new cases have hit daily highs.
• Palm Beach County has seen almost 1,500 hospitalizations out of more than 9,400 COVID-19 cases. Broward County has seen more than 1,700 out of more than 10,100 COVID-19 cases.
• Broward County intensive care beds are also filling up. As of Wednesday, June 17th, 79% of its 367 beds are occupied. Memorial Healthcare has several of its hospitals with only one or two intensive care beds available, according to AHCA. 

Miami-Dade Mayor says he's cracking down on businesses and rental homes that violate safety orders

• Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez will crack down on businesses and rental homes that violate safety orders such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, he said in a video message Thursday.
• Due to the uptick in cases and hospitalizations the mayor said authorities will shut down vacation rentals being used as "party homes."
• Businesses will also need to comply or face enforcement and shut downs. 
• Gimenez said that he has seen social media posts with people aggressively challenging business owners and neighbors when asked to use masks and wants people to enforce mask use.
• He said that businesses should refuse to serve people who challenge their orders to use a mask.
• The mayor also reminded everyone that the safer at home order is still in place and people should be staying at home whenever possible. 

Today, the Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting to discuss and take action on matters pending from the Tuesday, June 16th regular meeting of the Board, that was recessed due to a power outage at the downtown Governmental Center.

The outstanding items affecting the City of Miramar are 72, 81, 82 and 100, summarized below:  

• APPROVED Item 72 – The Broward County Commission has APPROVED (on consent) unanimously Item #72, Cycle 1 Municipal Surtax Projects including 97 municipal capital projects in the amount of $65,735,720.  
  
  • Funding in the amount of $6.416M for roadway related projects and $6,083,604 for roadway re-surfacing projects for the City of Miramar for FY20.  Following is a list of the roadway projects that are receiving funding in FY20: 

Here is a list of the roadway re-surfacing projects:

• Flamingo Estates - $2,234,426.35 
• PY 2019-2020 - $1,854,177.35 
• PY 2016-2018 - $1,995,001.37
• Total roadway resurfacing: $6,083,604 

City staff is working closely with the County to enter into interlocal agreements (ILAs) for acceptance of funds for these roadway projects.   

• APPROVED Item 81 – a proposed amendment to modify the current Charter restrictions on use of County parks to allow the use of Regional Parks (1) during declared states of emergency, for specific public health and safety purposes such as medical testing, food and supply distribution, or logistical staging, and (2) for emergency communications infrastructure if such use is approved by a supermajority of the Board and certain specific findings are made.  
• APPROVED Item 82 – This item was approved but remains open to receive input from Broward municipalities. This item is a proposed amendment to add a fourth circumstance in which County ordinances would prevail over Municipal ordinances.  The proposed amendment addresses development on County property of regional facilities (e.g., surtax-funded regional transportation facilities) intended to serve a public purpose. 
• APPROVED Item 100 – The County Commission voted unanimously to approve the item with the conditions that; 70% is allocated to County priorities, up to 30% is allocated to municipalities (County working group to determine details) and up to $9M is set aside for COVID-19 related reimbursements for the Clerk of Court.  This item is regarding spending priorities in the amount of $340,744,702 related to the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Exhibit 3); authorizing the County Administrator to develop and implement procedures to disperse funds consistent with the approved spending priorities; further, authorizing the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions, including transfer of funds between county funds and departments, and appropriating unspent funds from Fiscal Year 2020 to Fiscal Year 2021 on or after October 1, 2020, to facilitate dispersing funds prior to the expenditure deadline of December 30, 2020.

State of Florida
Florida recorded the most positive cases in any one day since the start of the pandemic

• The state Department of Health reported a new grand total of 80,109 cases, which is an increase of 2,783 over the previous 24 hours.
• That continued a statewide surge in infections this month, with at least 1,000 new cases on 12 out of the past 13 days. The previous high for one day was on Saturday, with 2,581 new cases.
• Florida officials also reported today that to date at least 3,085 people in the state have died from the new coronavirus.
• The death total includes the 2,993 resident deaths the state reports online plus the deaths of 92 non-residents.
• South Florida’s largest counties had 42.3% of the day’s new cases.  

Governor DeSantis insists ‘we’re not shutting down’ after Florida records most new coronavirus cases in a day

• The rapid rise of infections is a result of a more robust testing program, including mobile units that reach into agricultural communities and long-term care facilities, Governor DeSantis said at today’s new conference. He also cited virus outbreaks in prisons.

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Updated 06/16/2020

Local/Broward County
Palm Beach County may require masks as coronavirus cases rise

• Palm Beach County is considering requiring masks as officials remain concerned about the spread of the coronavirus months into the pandemic.
• Today, some elected county officials were weighing whether they should enact new rules, such as requiring masks, as Florida saw the largest-ever number of new coronavirus cases reported in a day, documenting an increase of 2,783 cases.
• Palm Beach County, which is averaging 300 new cases a day, saw 247 new cases reported Tuesday, bringing the county’s total to 9,262. While Phase 2 has been rolled out statewide, Palm Beach County said the governor has not yet approved the next step for its region.

State of Florida
Florida recorded the most positive cases in any one day since the start of the pandemic

• The state Department of Health reported a new grand total of 80,109 cases, which is an increase of 2,783 over the previous 24 hours.
• That continued a statewide surge in infections this month, with at least 1,000 new cases on 12 out of the past 13 days. The previous high for one day was on Saturday, with 2,581 new cases.
• Florida officials also reported today that to date at least 3,085 people in the state have died from the new coronavirus.
• The death total includes the 2,993 resident deaths the state reports online plus the deaths of 92 non-residents.
• South Florida’s largest counties had 42.3% of the day’s new cases.  

Governor DeSantis insists ‘we’re not shutting down’ after Florida records most new coronavirus cases in a day

• The rapid rise of infections is a result of a more robust testing program, including mobile units that reach into agricultural communities and long-term care facilities, Governor DeSantis said at today’s new conference. He also cited virus outbreaks in prisons.

Federal Government
U.S. - Canada border to remain closed until at least July 21st 

• Today, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau announced that by mutual agreement, the U.S.-Canada border will remain closed to all but essential travel until at least July 21st.
• “This is an important decision that will keep people in both of our countries safe,” said Prime Minister Trudeau during a news conference in Ottawa.
• The border has been closed since March 21st, and the closures have been extended three times.
• Under the arrangement, essential workers — such as truck drivers, healthcare providers, and air crews — may still cross the border, but others are prohibited from discretionary travel, including most family visits.

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Updated 06/15/2020

Broward County

Emergency Order 20-17 - Outlines retail establishments and restaurants signage requirements - Effective June 15th
requires retail establishments and restaurants to post signage containing information regarding social distancing and facial covering requirements, to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Signs must be conspicuously placed throughout these establishments, including at all entry points. Signs must be at least 8 1/2 x 11" and posted in multiple languages (minimum English, Creole and Spanish available here). Read more...

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Updated 06/11/2020

State of Florida

Florida’s unemployment claims plunge as economy regains foothold

• Florida started the month of June with a major decline in new unemployment applications as filings plunged by nearly 50% as the reopening of the state’s economy gained momentum.
• Claims for the week ending June 6th were 110,520, a decline of 97,187 from the 207,7070 filed in the last week of May.

Coronavirus cases in Florida surge with biggest jump since March

• The rapid rise of new coronavirus infections in Florida continued Thursday, June 11th as the state reported a one-day increase of 1,698 cases.
• That is the biggest surge on any day since March 30th, records show.
• There have been over 1,000 new cases counted on 8 out of the past 9 days.
• The rising number of cases corresponds with a steady rise in the number of COVID-19 tests, compared with the same period a month ago. And despite the higher case counts, the percentage of positive tests is dropping.
• The state says 1.3 million people have been tested so far for COVID-19, and about 5.3% have tested positive. It’s higher in South Florida, where 7.9% of the tests have been positive.

‘We want schools fully open,’ Florida’s commissioner of education says as schools get $64 million in federal aid

• Governor DeSantis was joined at a news conference in Melbourne by Richard Corcoran, Florida’s education commission. Both called for school to fully reopen this fall, although Governor DeSantis said specific plans may vary from county to county.
• Governor DeSantis announced $64 million in funding to help improve student proficiency statewide to address “the achievement gap,” with much of that money aimed at reading gains.
• The money, part of the federal government’s coronavirus relief aid, will be used for such purposes as opening summer programs at schools for struggling readers, adding new reading materials and hiring reading coaches.
• The state will also allocate funds to pre-K and child-care programs.

Local/Broward County
Palm Beach County loosens restrictions on recreational activities

• As coronavirus cases continue to rise, Palm Beach County is lifting restrictions on recreational activities such as commercial boating and fishing, golfing, parks, natural areas and youth summer camps and sports leagues.
• Among the changes effective Thursday, June 11th:
• Golf: Golfers can now share carts if there is a physical divider between driver and passenger or if both wear masks. Clubhouses can operate at capacities similar to current restaurant rules set by the state. Social distancing is required for caddy services and lessons with more than one student.
• Boat and piers: Fishermen on piers must remain 6 feet apart. Dive boats are now allowed to operate at higher capacity.
• Parks: Organized youth activities and summers camps are allowed in accordance with state rules. Picnic pavilions serving up to 10 persons can open. Field and lawn sports must have less than 50 people per field including spectators.
• Miami-Dade and Broward counties are still under stricter guidelines and are waiting to make a decision.
  • Summer youth camps operated by Broward County will not reopen until further notice.
  • Miami-Dade officials said camps and sports will remain closed until county authorities consult with local medical experts.

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Updated 06/09/2020

Broward County
Broward County Issued Emergency Order 20-15 on June 5, 2020
*Youth camps, amusement venues, pari-mutuel facilities allowed to open
The new Order permits additional establishments and youth activities to operate with adherence to social distancing, facial covering, and sanitation requirements as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more...

*Miramar is working on finalizing Phase 2 Reopening and will not open to the public on the same dates as the County. Miramar will not offer summer camps in 2020 and aquatic centers will remain closed until further notice.

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Updated 06/04/2020

Federal Government
Almost 20,000 new Covid-19 cases were identified in the US on Wednesday, June 4th.

CDC's forecast now projects more than 127,000 US coronavirus deaths by June 27th

• The ensemble forecast relies on 20 individual forecasts from outside institutions and researchers. The new projections, published today, forecast 127,230 deaths by June 27th (with a possible range of 118,450 to 143,340). 

CDC director says protesters should be tested for Covid-19

• Protesters need to be evaluated and tested for coronavirus, Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, said Thursday.
• “We really want those individuals to highly consider being evaluated and get tested,” Redfield said at a House Appropriations hearing on the Covid-19 response.
• “I do think there is a potential, unfortunately for this to be a seeding event,” he said — especially those in metropolitan areas where there has been significant transmission.

State of Florida
New coronavirus cases are soaring in many Florida counties—see below for significant increases in Florida as well as South Florida’s current percentage of increase in positive cases over the last month:

Martin County: 234% 
Collier County: 156%
Polk County: 96%
St. Lucie County: 96%
Palm Beach: 91%
Miami-Dade: 40% 
Broward County: 34%

First responders who attended protests should get tested for coronavirus, health officials say

• Police, paramedics and other first responders who attended any protests or mass gatherings should get tested for the coronavirus, the Florida Department of Health recommended Thursday, June 4th. 

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Updated 06/02/2020

Federal Government
Coronavirus to shave trillions from the economy over 10 years

• The Congressional Budget Office projected Monday, June 1st that the coronavirus pandemic would inflict a serious long-term blow to the US economy, taking 3% off the gross domestic product 10 years from now.
• Without adjusting for inflation, the budget agency said, the pandemic would cost nearly $16 trillion over the next 10 years. Adjusting for inflation, that number would still total $7.9 trillion. The estimates were an official tally of the damage the crisis has wrought, reflecting expectations of dampened consumer spending and business investment in the years ahead.

State of Florida
Update on Florida evictions ban

• Late last night, Governor DeSantis extended Florida’s evictions ban for one more month.  
• The moratorium is expected to expire on July 1st.

Unemployed get more relief from job searches during pandemic

• Laid-off and furloughed workers in Florida will continue to get a waiver from requirements that they look for work and report to the state.
• Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has extended a waiver from those requirements. It now continues through June 13th.
• Applicants still must answer questions about their job searches in order for the state DEO to process their claims in the in the CONNECT application system, but it will not affect benefit payments, the agency says on its website.
• In an announcement over the weekend, the state also said it extended the waiver of the so-called “waiting week” requirement through August 1st.

Broward County
Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry has confirmed the Emergency Curfew Order for tonight in response to credible reports of possible civil unrest that could potentially threaten the health, safety and welfare of the people of Broward County.

• The curfew is in effect 9PM Tuesday, June 2nd through 6AM Wednesday, June 3. While the curfew order is in place through June 7, consistent with the local state of emergency, the County Administrator will be assessing the ongoing need for a curfew on a daily basis based on credible threats of civil unrest.
• Residents are permitted to travel between their home and their place of employment during the curfew and are also allowed to walk their pets near their residences.
• Please note, media, while in the course of conducting their business, is exempt from the curfew.
• At this time, BCT is running on its current schedule.
• No one is allowed to use any street or sidewalk for any purpose, except for active duty police, fire rescue, first responders and medical, health care and utility service personnel.
• People are allowed to travel directly to and from their home to their place of employment.
• Residents are permitted to walk their dogs or other pets within 250 feet of their homes.
• Much of South Florida will be on lockdown at night this week to stem civil protests that have grown violent, potentially endangering the public.

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Updated 05/28/2020

Federal Government
Today, the House voted to pass the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010) by a bipartisan vote of 417-1, with Representative Thomas Massie (R-GA) being the measure’s lone opposition. 

• The bipartisan bill introduced by Congressmen Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Chip Roy (R-TX) would provide greater flexibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan recipients by allowing loan forgiveness for expenses beyond the 8-week “covered period” to 24-weeks, and extending the 2-year limit on repayment terms for unforgiven loans to 5-years to lower the size of each payment. 
• While the bill as originally introduced had eliminated the requirement that 75-percent of PPP loan proceeds must be used on payroll costs, a compromise was ultimately reached to lower the required ratio to 60-percent after receiving feedback from business stakeholders. 

State of Florida
Governor DeSantis announced on Wednesday, May 27th that Florida can participate in the USDA's Pandemic EBT program. 

• The Department of Children and Families (DCF), in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), developed the program to automatically issue benefits during the month of June to more than 2.1 million children who have temporarily lost access to free and reduced-price school meals during COVID-19-related school closures.
• You can find more information on the program here. 

Broward County
Data as of May 28th shows Broward County reported 6,870 known cases of the coronavirus with an additional 2 more resident deaths, putting the known death toll at 328. Please see below for the latest trends in Broward County:

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Updated 05/26/2020

Federal Government
White House announces new travel restrictions on Brazil

• President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation suspending entry into the U.S. for any individual who has been in Brazil within 14 days immediately preceding their attempt to enter the United States.
• The proclamation reads in part, "I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Federative Republic of Brazil during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States."
• The proclamation is aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus coming into the United States from Brazil, the country with the second highest number of cases worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. 
• As of Sunday evening, Brazil had more than 347,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

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Updated 05/22/2020

Federal Government
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that they have begun distributing $4.9 billion in Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act funds to provide relief and assistance to nursing homes in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, of which a press release may be found here. 

• This funding will specifically be used to support nursing homes that have faced the unique challenge of caring for the nation’s population most at risk to the coronavirus, with significant coronavirus-related expenses and lost revenue. 
• These funds will be distributed based on a fixed award of $50,000 in addition to an award of $2,500 per bed. 
• To be eligible to receive this award, a nursing home must have at least six certified beds. 
• For your reference, a list of state distributions may be found here.  

Dr. Fauci says it’s "conceivable" the US could have a coronavirus vaccine in December

• In an interview with NPR, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, said once again that he was encouraged by the findings from the phase one trial of a vaccine that is being developed by biotech company Moderna.
• Dr. Fauci advised that he is “cautiously optimistic” that the U.S. could have a coronavirus vaccine by December 2020. 

Dr. Birx stresses social distancing during Memorial Day weekend

• On the eve of the holiday weekend, Dr. Deborah Birx, a White House coronavirus task force official, urged the country to continue to follow social distancing measures when going about sports activities and visiting beaches. She said individuals must keep a six feet distance and have a mask with them in case the six feet distance “cannot be maintained.” 

Today, the CDC issued interim guidelines for places of worship.  A copy of the guidelines can be found here.  Below are some of the suggested tips:

• Limit the size of gatherings.
• Hold additional services each week to maintain social distancing.
• Consider virtual services/meetings, video streaming or drive in options.
• Limit sharing of frequently touched objects that cannot be easily cleaned between persons such as prayer books, hymnals, etc.
• Consider stationary collection box or electronic methods instead of shared collection trays or baskets.
• Suspend or decrease use of choir or music ensembles or congregant singing as the act of singing may contribute to the transmission of COVID-19 through emission of aerosols.
• Provide physical guides such as tapes on floors or walkways and on walls to ensure congregants remain 6’ apart at all times.

State of Florida
Today, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-131, which extends EO 20-123 to allow for organized youth activities.

• Broward County, which was initially excluded from the Governor’s Phase 1 reopening along with Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County, is not including youth sports and summer camps in the May 26th reopening. 
• These activities will be addressed in a future emergency order. 
• Miami-Dade officials said camps and sports will remain closed until county authorities consult with local medical experts.
• Palm Beach County said they were still awaiting the governor’s order before allowing sports or camps to operate in the county.

Local/Broward County
County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-13 on Friday, May 22nd, which extends Phase 1 reopening guidelines to beaches, commercial gyms and fitness centers, hotels and other commercial lodging, with restrictions, effective Tuesday, May 26th.

• These re-openings are in addition to those outlined in Emergency Order 20-12 issued May 21st. Because COVID-19, however, remains a serious threat to public safety, the social distancing, facial covering and sanitation requirements remain in place for businesses that reopen, and the individuals who patronize them.
• Highlights of the new order include:
  • All beaches can open with limited hours (sunrise to sunset). Ocean activities such as surfing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and body surfing are allowed; also walking, running and biking.
  • Like other communities across the country, Broward beaches are not yet opening for picnicking, sunbathing, sitting or lying on the beach. Group or organized sports (such as volleyball), umbrellas, canopies, chairs, loungers and coolers are also not yet allowed, and no group gatherings of more than 10 people. Beachgoers must maintain social distancing (six feet of separation), except between members of the same household or groups.
  • Commercial gyms and fitness centers, including but not limited to dance, martial arts, yoga, spinning and personal training studios can open, with adherence to the guidelines. This includes pools in those facilities, with restrictions.
  • Hotels, motels and commercial lodging establishments can open with adherence to guidelines. Staff is required to wear facial coverings and gloves for all customer-facing activities. Guests must wear facial coverings in all common areas. Ballrooms and other special function spaces remain closed. Proprietors are encouraged to post on their website, blog or social media the steps they are taking to keep their guests safe.
  • Pari-mutuel facilities (as defined by Florida Statutes Section 550.002(23), are to remain closed, except for when the establishment is being utilized for a use expressly permitted under a Broward County Emergency Order, or by a professional sports team to conduct or host a training, competition, event or game in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 20-123. 
  • Vacation rentals are open, but only for essential lodgers, as authorized by the Governor’s Executive Order 20-87.
  • All businesses are still strongly encouraged to perform remote operations whenever possible, and allow employees to utilize telework or other remote working methods that permit social distancing. 
• Enforcement is critical to the success of the reopening strategy, to ensure that a spike in new cases does not occur, which could result in another complete or partial shutdown. County and Health Department officials are monitoring benchmarks that will help identify the emergence of “hotspots” that can be quickly mitigated.
• Law enforcement and code enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce the requirements of the Emergency Order. Failure to comply can result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment or both. Residents can also report violations anonymously online at MyBroward.Broward.org, or by calling the Broward County Call Center at 311 or 954-831-4000. 
• The provisions of Emergency Order 20-13 define minimum standards in Broward County. Municipalities may establish more stringent measures within their jurisdiction, to the extent permitted by law. Residents should check with their municipality to ensure they are aware of local requirements.

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Updated 05/21/2020

Federal Government
Another 2.4 million Americans filed for unemployment last week.

The CDC released published interim-guidance on how to safely reopen communities and economies and ease stay-at-home orders, while still preventing further spread of the coronavirus. 

• The 60-page guidance (available here) provides detailed road maps on reopening for a variety of entities that have been forced to shut down or modify operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, including schools, restaurants, transit authorities, and childcare centers. 
• The document provides details on best practices in surveilling and contact tracing the coronavirus and coordination between federal, state, and local governmental entities.  It also includes specific guidelines for each entity to scale up operations and take steps that continue to promote overall safety and health.  

State of Florida
There are no significant COVID-19 reports from the State today.
 
Broward County
County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-12 today, consolidating directives contained in several previous Orders and clarifying business and resident responsibilities for adherence to social distancing, facial covering, and sanitation requirements as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Specifically, the Order:

• Allows all nonprofit, retail, and commercial establishments, and any other facility doing business, except for those expressly identified in the Order, to resume operations subject to certain restrictions.
• Outlines guidance for each type of establishment that is allowed to reopen, in a series of 12 detailed attachments.
• Directs that certain types of businesses must remain closed, pursuant to Governor’s Executive Orders, including but not limited to: bars and nightclubs (except for food take-out or delivery); movie theaters (except for existing licensed drive-in theaters); concert houses, bowling alleys, and other venues that encourage large group gatherings; tattoo parlors and massage parlors.
• Hot tubs, commercial gyms and fitness centers, and beaches remain closed. Additionally, hotels, motels and other commercial lodging cannot accept new reservations (except for certain identified exceptions).
• Expressly provides for County and municipal personnel to enter establishments in areas that are open to the public, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Order.
• Encourages businesses who are able to utilize remote working methods to continue to do so. 

The Order reminds the community when facial coverings are required and that they are not a substitute for social distancing.  Please see below for current guidelines:

• Facial coverings must continue to be worn by employees in reopened businesses during in-person interactions with the public; 
• by members of the public when obtaining goods and services from public businesses, unless the service precludes wearing of a facial covering (such as eating or face grooming); and 
• by workers involved in the preparation of food, even if they are not engaged in interactions with the public, with exceptions as noted in the Order.

 An emergency order regarding beaches, commercial gyms and hotels will be issued this week.
 
Residents are encouraged to participate in the compliance process by reporting violations to MyBroward.Broward.org. Select “Request for Service,” enter the location of the violation, and select “COVID-19 Business Complaints” as the Type of Issue. You can also call the Broward County Call Center at 311 or 954-831-4000. Both types of reports can be made anonymously.

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Updated 05/20/2020

Federal Government
US border and travel restrictions

• The Trump administration is extending a public health order that allows for the swift removal of migrants apprehended at U.S. borders, the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday, May 18th.

US-Canada border to remain closed

• The border between the two countries will remain closed to nonessential traffic until June 21st, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

President Trump's signs Executive Order on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery

• On Tuesday, May 18th, Trump signed an executive order that he described as "instructing federal agencies to use any and all authority to weigh, suspend, and eliminate unnecessary regulations that impede economic recovery."

WHO reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases

• Today, Tedros Adhanom-Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that more cases had been reported to the agency in the last 24 hours than any time since the novel coronavirus outbreak began. 
• “We still have a long way to go in this pandemic,” Tedros said at a briefing in Geneva. “In the last 24 hours, there have been 106,000 cases reported to WHO – the most in a single day since the outbreak began. Almost two-thirds of these cases were reported in just four countries.” Those four countries are the United States, Russia, Brazil and India.    
  • Brazil set a new record with nearly 20,000 new coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period.

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Updated 05/19/2020

Federal Government
CARES Act Implementation

• The Federal Reserve officially opened their Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) yesterday. 
  • As previously reported, the CARES Act established the MLF to assist state and local governments manage cash flow pressures related to the coronavirus pandemic by purchasing up to $500 billion of short term municipal notes directly from states (including the District of Columbia), counties with a population of at least 500,000 people and cities with at least 250,000 people.  
  • The most recently updated MLF term sheet is available for your reference here, a list of eligible municipal issuers is available here, and FAQs are available here. 
  • To apply to sell municipal notes to the MLF, eligible issuers will first need to respond to the Federal Reserve-published Notice of Interest (available here) and if approved, the applicant will be invited to apply. 
  • For your reference a sample application may be found here, and sample form documents and certifications that will be required may be found here.  
• Yesterday, Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) formally introduced the State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act. 
  • As we have reported, this proposal establishes a $500 billion “SMART Fund” to continue to provide aid to state, local, and tribal governments during the coronavirus pandemic - $484 billion to state and local governments, and $16 billion for Native American tribes. 
  • Specifically, the bill would lower the current population threshold for local governments to receive direct stabilization funding from the Treasury from 500,000 to 50,000 and would provide states and local governments with the flexibility to use this funding to cover revenue losses. 

State of Florida
There are no significant COVID-19 reports from the State today.

Local Broward County
Broward’s ICE facility sees massive spike in coronavirus cases

• A measure meant to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, actually increased the number of positive cases at an immigration detention facility in Broward by 533 percent over the weekend.
• The Miami Herald reported that 33 detainees were transferred from the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade County to Pompano Beach’s Broward Transitional Center on Thursday, May 14th in an effort to allow better social distancing at the Krome.
• Krome has had 13 positive cases of COVID-19. Those transferred were tested the following day and roughly half of them tested positive for the disease.
• Now the number of positive COVID-19 cases at the Broward center is 19, up from just three positive cases before the transfers.
• The transfer of detainees comes after a U.S. District judge ordered ICE to shrink the number of detainees to 75% of capacity, allowing for social distancing at facilities. The judge said ICE was allowed to transfer detainees, the Herald reported.

Elections office plans on 65% of Broward voters using mail ballots in presidential election

• Today, Supervisor of Elections Peter Antonacci said he’s preparing for a record voter turnout in November’s presidential election and a staggering increase in the number of county voters who use mail balloting in November.
• Starting next week, Antonacci’s office will mail out 200,000 postcards a day to Broward registered voters who haven’t signed up to vote by mail, asking if they want mail ballots for the August primary and November general elections. 
• Each voter will get a postage-paid return card to sign and send back to get on the mail voting list. 

Child illness linked to coronavirus reported in South Florida

• Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees has acknowledged that a syndrome that attacks children and is associated with COVID-19 has surfaced in Miami-Dade County, adding a scary new dimension to the battle against the coronavirus in Florida.
• Mr. Rivkees encouraged physicians and hospitals to make sure they report any suspected cases of what is known as a “multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children” to health department officials.
• The CDC sent out a health advisory to physicians last week detailing the emergence of MIS-C in New York City and New York state, with 15 children hospitalized between April 16th and May 4th. 
• Many of the patients, who ranged in ages from 2 to 15, were admitted to an intensive care unit, the CDC noted in the advisory.
• As of May 12th, the number of patients identified by New York health officials had increased to 102.

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Updated 05/18/2020

Federal Government
Navajo Nation surpasses New York state for the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the U.S.

• The Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, reported a population of 173,667 on the 2010 census. As a result, with 4,002 cases, the Native American territory has 2,304.41 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people.
• By contrast, New York state now has a rate of 1,806 cases per 100,000 and New Jersey is at 1,668 cases per 100,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. 

CARES Act Implementation

• On Friday May 15th, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application, a press release of which may be found here.  
  • As established by the CARES Act, PPP loan obligations are eligible for forgiveness in part or in full if the loan was expended during the 8-week “covered period” beginning on the loan’s origination date, and on existing obligations such as payroll costs, mortgage interest, and rent and utility payments. 
  • Additionally, the amount of forgiveness cannot exceed the principal balance of the loan, and will be reduced based on the reduction in number of employees and the reduction of total salary costs in excess of 25%. 
  • To apply for forgiveness, PPP recipients must submit an application form (available here) which includes options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs, flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll costs, step by step instructions on CARES Act required calculations, and exemptions from forgiveness reductions based on rehiring laid off employees.    
• Today, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the allocation of $77 million of CARES Act funding to support housing vouchers through HUD’s Section 811 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program, a press release of which may be found here. 
  • This is the fourth wave of CARES Act funding HUD has released to address low-income, elderly, or disabled individuals and communities during the coronavirus pandemic. 
  • This $77 million will specifically be used to provide affordable housing for non-elderly individuals living with disabilities. 
  • A full list of funding allocations organized by state may be found here. 

State of Florida
There are no significant reports from the State today.

Local Broward County
BCPS Announces Changes to the District’s Summer Programs

• Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) announces changes to the District’s summer programs, based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, public health experts, and federal, state and local governments regarding safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic.
• The District will not host any activities during the summer in school buildings. This includes municipal summer camps, daycare services, Before & After School Child Care and all other activities previously scheduled or anticipated. District staff is working closely with providers to coordinate these programs using distance learning, whenever possible.
• Superintendent Robert W. Runcie letter’s to BCPS families and community. 

District Virtual Town Hall Meeting “Surviving COVID-19 Together”

• Please join Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Vice Chair of the School Board of Broward County, and a panel of distinguished guests for a virtual town hall to discuss the pandemic’s impact on Mental Health, Distance Learning, the 2020 Census, Voting and Public Safety.   
• To join the conversation and participate LIVE beginning at 6:30 pm on Thursday May 21st, please connect via:
  • Zoom app ID:  894 9512 0779
  • By phone:  dial 1-646-558-8656 and enter code 89495120779#

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Updated 05/15/2020

Federal Government
New White House coronavirus task force members announced

• The Office of the Vice President has announced five new members of the coronavirus task force. The new members are:
  • Sonny Perdue, Agriculture Secretary 
  • Gene Scalia, Labor Secretary 
  • Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health
  • Dr. Peter Marks, Food and Drug Administration Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
  • Thomas Engels, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration 

President Trump announces leaders of "warp speed" vaccine effort

• Moncef Slaoui, the ex-head of GlaxoSmithKline's vaccines division, and four-star Army General Gustave Perna, will head the White House's effort to develop a coronavirus vaccine. 
• Mr. Slaoui said he is confident a vaccine will be developed by the end of 2020.

State of Florida
Florida asks federal government for $20 million in coronavirus aid for election preparations

• Florida formally asked the federal government on Friday for $20.2 million designed to help the state make coronavirus preparations for the 2020 elections.
• “We are requesting the full amount of the award, $20,253,853, at this time. We will use the funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for the federal 2020 election cycle,” Secretary of State Laurel Lee said in a letter to the federal Election Assistance Commission. 

Gyms in Florida to reopen Monday while restaurant capacity is increased

• Governor DeSantis announced his "full phase one" begins Monday and it includes increasing restaurant capacity to 50% and reopening gyms.
• Restaurants were initially operating with outdoor seating 6 feet apart and indoor seating at 25% capacity.
• Gyms will be allowed to reopen Monday as well. Governor DeSantis stressed social distancing when working out.  
  • Broward and Miami-Dade Counties will not reopen gyms until further notice.

Local Broward County
Broward Proceeds with Phase 1 Reopening

• With public health its number one priority, the County is taking cautious steps to reopen some businesses and recreational venues. 
• This week, Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-10 providing for a phased reopening of business activity with restrictions, beginning on Monday, May 18th, that follow a modified Phase 1 of the Governor's statewide reopening plan. 
• The order maintains the requirement to social distance and wear facial coverings. 
• Certain restrictions apply and must be followed. As clarification, Broward's beaches, libraries and commercial gyms remain closed at this time. 

Broward County Libraries Walk-up/Drive-up Service Begins Monday, May 18th 

• Beginning May 18, 2020, Broward County Libraries will start Walk-up/Drive-up Service at a limited number of libraries. This service lets customers pick up reserved library materials in a safe manner while Broward County Libraries remain closed to the public.
• Customers may resume reserving books, DVDs and other library materials using BCL’s online catalog or by calling their local library.
• Library staff will be unable to provide customers with any materials that have not been reserved ahead of time. You must have a Broward County Library card to reserve library materials.

Businesses: Are You Ready to Reopen? Take the COVID-19 Broward Business Survey!

• As companies around the world cope with the challenges brought by COVID-19, business owners in Broward County are gearing up to phase into reopening their doors. 
• With public safety as a primary concern, the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) is focused on supporting the local business community to ensure everyone is prepared to get back to business. 
• OESBD is supporting the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward’s Public Private Partner, in asking all business owners take a quick 9-Question Survey. 

Chamber Helping Businesses with Reopening Guidance

• Broward County and municipalities will begin a Phase 1 reopening on Monday, May 18th. 
• To help prepare, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce has created a Return to Work Checklist that businesses can follow as they get ready to reopen.  

Broward County Encourages Employers to Offer Telecommuting Options

• With some Broward businesses allowed to open in a limited capacity, the County encourages employers to offer options to their staff to work from home or at a remote location to reduce interaction with other employees and customers and the spread of the virus. 
• In addition to not being exposed to others in the workplace, telework takes the danger out of traveling back and forth to work, accounting for savings to your staff while reducing stress during these difficult times. 
• If remote working is not already a standard practice at your organization, make sure to adopt policies governing remote employee access dealing with issues such as network security, protection of corporate confidential information and timekeeping.  

Testing Collection Sites to Temporarily Close Due to Weather

• The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced that 10 state-supported drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites and four state-supported walk-up COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Friday, May 15th, and will reopen on Monday, May 18th, due to a low-pressure system expected to impact the state this weekend. The closure includes the following four sites in Broward County: 

Drive-thru testing collection site:

• CB Smith Park, Pembroke Pines
• Broward War Memorial, Holiday Park, Fort Lauderdale

Walk-up collection testing site:

• Mitchell Moore Park, Pompano Beach
• Urban League, Fort Lauderdale

Other sites in Broward remain open. See List

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Updated 05/14/2020

Federal Government
CDC releases warning about Covid-related pediatric syndrome

• The CDC issued a health advisory to thousands of doctors across the country Thursday, advising them to be on the lookout for a troubling new syndrome that may be associated with Covid-19 infection.
• The syndrome, called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), has been seen in children across Europe and in at least 18 states, plus Washington, DC. 

CDC releases "decision trees" to help pandemic reopening decisions

• The CDC released six “decision trees” Thursday aimed at helping  businesses, communities, schools, camps, daycares and mass-transit decide on whether it’s safe to reopen. 
• The "decision trees" are not part of a much-anticipated, lengthy and detailed document that has been delayed at least once.
• The six documents posted on the CDC’s website Thursday provide step-by-step guidance advising employers, for instance, to encourage social distancing, hand washing and intensified cleaning.

Millions more jobless claims expected on Thursday: Economists polled by Refinitiv expect Thursday's initial jobless claims release to show that 2.5 million Americans filed for first-time unemployment benefits last week.

• Unprecedented unemployment: In February, the US unemployment rate was near a 50-year low of 3.5%. In April, it skyrocketed to 14.7%, the highest level ever recorded since 1948 when the government began tracking the monthly data.

Covid-19 infects the intestines, kidneys and other organs: The novel coronavirus can infect organs throughout the body, including lungs, throat, heart, liver, brain, kidneys and the intestines, researchers reported today.

Food prices on the rise: The price of food staples, such as eggs, meats and cereal, climbed in April as more Americans stocked up on food during the coronavirus pandemic. Food prices for groceries recorded its biggest increase since February 1974, rising 2.6%, according to the Labor Department. The price index for eggs climbed more than 16% — the biggest increase for any food item.

State of Florida
Today, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-122 which authorizes Broward and Miami-Dade Counties to enter Phase 1 of re-opening (known as the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida' s Recovery).
 
Governor DeSantis extended bans on evictions and foreclosures until June 2nd

• At a news conference today, Governor DeSantis said he is extending a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures that he signed in an executive order on April 2nd. The extension ends on June 2nd. 

Florida’s weekly unemployment claims jump to 221,905

• Despite a government green light to start reopening Florida’s coronavirus-stricken economy, unemployment claims in the state soared by more than 47,000 to 221,905 for the week ending May 9th, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday.
• As more Floridians sought financial aid in May, the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity continued to struggle with processing payments. As of Tuesday, the agency said it had paid 693,950 people more than $1.77 billion since March 15th. About two-thirds of the payments are from the federal government authorized by a coronavirus relief act signed into law March 27th. But there are still roughly 700,000 people who have yet to receive money, according to the agency’s own figures.

Governor DeSantis has yet to approve Broward County’s reopening proposal

• Governor DeSantis said at a news conference in Tallahassee that he would decide soon whether Broward could reopen. “Broward has definitely trended well,” Governor DeSantis said concerning recent reductions in the numbers of people becoming infected with COVID-19.
• Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry submitted a proposal to Governor DeSantis for review.

Broward County
In accordance with the Governor’s action, Broward County has issued Emergency Order 20-10 today, which sets forth guidelines for the following non-essential businesses that are included in Phase 1, and are able to open with several restrictions. These are as follows:

• Continuation of the Required CDC Guidelines: First, all must continue to adhere to CDC Guidelines regarding social distancing and facial coverings. Continue to uphold the prohibition that groups of more than ten (10) people are not permitted to congregate in public spaces that do not allow for the require social distancing.
• Professional businesses that are allowed up to and through this order, must also continue to adhere to the guidelines set forth, such as limited public access and to encourage teleworking. Additional restrictions on general business requirements can be found in attachment 1.
• Restaurants and Food Establishments: Restaurants and Food Establishments must comply with the six foot (6’) distancing requirement and comply with the 50% of the maximum indoor seating capacity. This allows for indoor and outdoor seating, that combined shall not exceed the existing total maximum occupancy for the establishment. Outdoor seating areas will be subject to additional limitations required by the applicable municipality. Specific guidelines are included in attachment 2, within the Broward County order.
• Retail Establishments: Retail establishments selling goods other than personal services, can open at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of indoor occupancy. Specific guidelines are included in attachment 3, within the Broward County order. 
• Personal Services - Barbershops, cosmetology salons, and cosmetology specialty salons: (businesses and establishments providing personal services by licensed professionals) may operate provided all operations comply with the extensive guidelines included in attachment 4, within the Broward County order. 
• Movie Theaters: Existing licensed drive-in outdoor movie theaters can operate at up to 50% capacity provided they comply with the guidelines included in attachment 5, within the Broward County order. Indoor movie theaters remain closed.
• Community Rooms, Fitness Centers, and Gyms: Community Rooms, Fitness Centers, and Gyms located within multi-family housing developments or community associations can operate at their option with restrictions, including a fifty percent (50%) maximum occupancy, residents only, no guests allowed. These may operate provided they comply with the guidelines included in attachment 6, within the Broward County order. Hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and shower facilities remain closed.
• Public Community Pools and Private Club Pools: Public pools and private club pools (including municipal pools) can open, with specific restrictions found in attachment 7, within the Broward County order. The water features at facilities operated by Broward County Parks and Recreation remain closed.
• Museums: Museums can open with a maximum 25% capacity, with restrictions on any component of the museum that are interactive, including child play areas, which must remain closed. Museums may operate provided they comply with the guidelines included in attachment 8, within the Broward County order.
• Enforcement and Penalties: Violations will be prosecuted in the same manner as misdemeanors are prosecuted including fines of up to $500 per violation and imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, or both. 
• The effective date of this order in Broward County is May 18th, (12:01 am).
• The Broward County Emergency Order is applicable to all incorporated and unincorporated areas in the County. It was made in coordination with municipalities in Broward County. However, it does allow municipalities to establish more stringent standards within their jurisdictions, to the extent permitted by law. 

 
Miami-Dade County is expected to issue an Emergency Order implementing Phase 1, similar to what Broward County did today (see below for Broward details). 
A reminder that Miami-Dade County did issue a lengthy guidance document yesterday. 
The “The New Normal Guide,” details various standards for businesses throughout all phases of re-opening. A link to that document is here: https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/new-normal.pdf.    

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Updated 05/12/2020

Federal Government
Fauci tells Congress that states face serious consequences if they reopen too quickly

• Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House's coronavirus task force, warned senators Tuesday that states and cities face serious consequences if they open up too quickly, urging states not to reopen until they know they have the capabilities to handle an inevitable uptick in cases once they relax stay-at-home orders.
• In a high-profile hearing where witnesses and many lawmakers joined via video conference, Fauci also told a Senate committee on Tuesday it was a "bridge too far" for schools to expect a vaccine or widely available treatment for Covid-19 by the time students return to campuses in the fall, though he expressed optimism a vaccine would be developed in the next year or two.
• "My concern that if some areas -- cities, states or what have you -- jump over those various checkpoints and prematurely open up, without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently, my concern is we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks," Fauci said in testimony before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
• "There is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak that you may not be able to control, which in fact, paradoxically, will set you back, not only leading to some suffering and death that could be avoided but could even set you back on the road to try to get economic recovery," Fauci later added.

CARES Act Implementation

• Amid its own growing need for adequate coronavirus testing, the White House announced it will be allocating a total of $11 billion in CARES Act funding to state governments to fully supply them with swabs and chemical reagents that comprise coronavirus testing. 
  • Funds were allocated based on each state’s population and number of coronavirus cases. 
  • States like New York and New Jersey, which have been particularly hit hard by the coronavirus, will receive the highest allocation of $500 million, and sparsely populated states like Wyoming receiving between $49 million to $99 million. 
  • A White House spokesperson has indicated these supplies provided to states with this funding will allow for at least two-percent of the states’ population. 
  • Additionally, the White House will require states to submit detailed testing and tracing plans, which should include deliverables and goals for vulnerable populations.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the allocation of $1 billion through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a press release of which may be found here. 

• This is the third wave of supplemental CARES Act CDBG funding that has been allocated by HUD to alleviate the burden of the coronavirus. 
• The formula used to make these allocations, more information of which is available here, took into consideration data on low-income elderly and impoverished children, and data on recently filed unemployment insurance claims to ensure areas that have been hit the hardest by the coronavirus pandemic receive higher funding allocations. 
• A fill list of these CDBG allocations by state may be found here.    

State of Florida
Governor DeSantis banking on federal stimulus money as he puts Florida budget on hold

• Governor DeSantis said Monday, May 11th he has put off formally accepting and reviewing a $93.2 billion budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year that was approved by the Legislature in March and is slated to take effect July 1st.
• Governor DeSantis added that while the state’s fiscal outlook was healthy prior to the economic slowdown, federal dollars will be vital to the state’s recovery.

Florida's initial antibody test results show higher positivity rate in Miami

• Governor DeSantis said Tuesday that the initial results from serological testing at drive-through sites established last week show a higher positivity rate in Miami.
• Governor DeSantis also stated that results show “10% positive for antibodies in Miami and between 2% and 3% in Orlando and Jacksonville.” 

Broward County
Broward County Proposed Phase I Reopening

• Broward County is planning a limited reopening of its stores and restaurants Monday, May 18th. 
• Today, Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry outlined a proposal with county commissioners that calls for retail stores to open at about 25% capacity; hair and nail salons would open Monday, May 18th; and restaurants could allow 25% seating capacity.
• As part of the discussion, cities were advised to ramp up code enforcement efforts.
• Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry advised that if Broward cities were to set their own rules for businesses to reopen, the rules could be more restrictive, but not more lenient.
• In an effort to provide consistency with our neighboring counties, Broward County officials are working closely with Miami-Dade County on reopening strategies.
• A key takeaway from the Special Commission Meeting was that all Broward County municipalities should adopt similar reopening strategies to provide residents with simple, easy-to-understand guidelines to minimize a possible negative impact to the community.
• An executive order with specific directives from the County is forthcoming and will be shared with the Commission upon receipt.

Reports show that Broward residents are dying at home because they are afraid to go to a hospital

• Fort Lauderdale and Broward fire-rescues’ newly released numbers confirm what many have suspected: More people are afraid to go to the hospital and, as a result, are dying at home.
• Records released Monday from Fort Lauderdale Fire and Rescue and Broward County Fire and Rescue found twice as many people were already dead when responders arrived at their home in April than a year earlier, and the pattern appears to be continuing in May.
• In addition, 911 calls have dropped, and the number of people the Fort Lauderdale paramedics have transported to the emergency room fell by nearly 1,000 in April compared to the same month in 2019.
• South Florida hospitals say their levels of coronavirus patients have dropped significantly, and they have contained those patients in one section.

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Updated 05/11/2020

Federal Government
Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Ed Markey (D-MA) today introduced legislation (Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act) to provide $2,000 per month to Americans ($4,000 per month for married couples who file jointly), with an additional $2,000 per month per child up to three children, for those making less than $120,000 per year (phase-out begins after $100,000).  

• Since passage of the CARES Act, which provided single-filing tax payers with $1,200 ($2,400 for married couples who file taxes jointly), along with an additional $500 per child, many lawmakers have proposed providing additional and larger direct payments. Additionally, the bill would ensure individuals who do not have a recently filed tax return or social security number, the homeless, and foster youth receive payments and these payments may not be seized by debt collectors. This measure is by far the most extensive expansion of the CARES Act’s Economic Impact Payments. For your reference, the bill text may be found here, and a one-pager on the bill may be found here. 

State of Florida
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 2020-114, which extends Florida’s state of emergency declaration for an additional 60-days.  A copy of the order can be found here. In addition, the following announcements were made by Governor DeSantis on May 9th:

• First, Palm Beach County has been working closely with the Office of the Governor and will enter Phase 1 of re-opening on Monday, May 11.  The official order has not yet been released, however, it is expected to follow the same Phase 1 guidelines as applied in other counties (a reminder that Miami-Dade and Broward have not yet entered Phase 1), which are:
  • retail establishments, museums and libraries may operate with no more than 25 percent occupancy (if authorized by the local government);
  • on-premises consumption of food and beverages may be allowed at restaurants while following social distancing guidelines and limiting indoor occupancy to no more than 25 percent of the building occupancy;
  • sales of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption remain prohibited at bars, pubs and nightclubs that derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages;
  • gyms and fitness centers closed by Executive Order 20-71 remain closed; and
  • prohibitions on vacation rentals in Executive Order 20-87 remain in effect for the duration of Emergency Order 20-112.  
• Second, the Governor also announced that, beginning Monday, May 11, 2020, barber shops and salons will open in most Florida counties, under enhanced safety protocols.  Barber shops and salons remain closed in Miami-Dade and Broward, and it is not yet clear if they will open in Palm Beach County.  The Palm Beach County Commission, however, did vote this afternoon to urge the Governor to allow those establishments to open in Palm Beach as part of their Phase 1.  Enhanced safety protocols will likely be issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  

Broward County
Broward County Cases per Day

• Please see below for the daily changes in positive COVID-19 cases in Broward County beginning on March 1st through May 6th.  

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Updated 05/08/2020

Federal Government

Stimulus Implementation
The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced the availability of $1.5 billion in CARES Act disaster relief funding, a press release of which may be found here.

• The EDA is making these funds available through its Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, which regularly provides communities with the flexibility and resources to respond to its economic development needs. Entities eligible to receive EDA CARES Act funding include state and local governmental entities, institutions of higher education, not for-profit entities, and federally recognized Tribes. Under ordinary circumstances, entities are required to meet certain economic distress criteria to be eligible to receive funding, however EDA CARES Act funding will be available to all communities as the economic injury due to the coronavirus pandemic constitutes a “Special Need.” Applicants, however, must still explain how funding will create a community more resilient to health crises, and how the project would prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus or respond to economic injury. Full program information may be found here, and the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and fact sheet here, for reference.

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of approximately $583 million from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act to Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded health centers to expand coronavirus testing, a press release of which may be found here.

• Funding will be specifically used to expand the range of testing capabilities and testing-related activities to best meet the specific needs of their communities, such as the PPE procurement, staff training, and administration of tests and laboratory services. Prior to this award, HHS provided approximately $1.42 billion to HRSA-funded health centers to respond to the coronavirus. A list of expanding capacity for coronavirus testing allocations organized by state may be found here.

State of Florida
Let us reopen: Palm Beach County makes its plea to the governor

• Palm Beach County sent Governor DeSantis a letter today asking for him to consider easing coronavirus restrictions in the county.
• Governor DeSantis has said he will allow South Florida to reopen soon, when the disease has waned enough. But now is not the time, he said this week.
• Palm Beach County has a much higher rate of cases than Florida as a whole but a somewhat lower rate than Broward and a much lower rate than Miami-Dade.
• For every 100,000 residents, Palm Beach County has 239.7 cases; Broward has 290.8; and Miami-Dade has 492.0. Florida, as a whole, has 180.8 cases per 100,000 residents.
• Palm Beach County’s death rate is higher than Broward’s. The county’s large number of seniors, the age group most at risk for serious illness caused by coronavirus, is likely a contributing factor. 

While there has been growing bipartisan support for providing state and local governments with the flexibility to use funding from the CARES Act’s $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) and/or any forthcoming stabilization funds to cover lost revenue, a proposal from Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) to provide that flexibility was blocked from receiving floor consideration today by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL).

• In his floor statement outlining his opposition, Senator Scott explained that while he understood the “spirit” of Kennedy’s proposal, he was concerned removing the limitations on the funding would “siphon resources away from the coronavirus response efforts,” and that some states merely wanted to use the funds to “backfill their decades of fiscal mismanagement.” The CARES Act and subsequent guidance from the Treasury Department specifies that CRF funds can be used to cover coronavirus related expenditures, but not for replacing state and local revenue lost due to suspension of services and the economic shutdown. Senator Kennedy said his legislation responds to complaints from governors that these funds come with too many strings attached, and he noted that it should garner support from members of his own caucus who are more inclined to provide state and local governments with more flexibility rather than more funding. Despite these assertions, several Republican Senators have warned that providing this flexibility would reward states with mismanaged finances. As we have been reporting, there are several proposals in both the House and Senate to provide the CRF with additional funding, ranging from $150 billion to $1 trillion, and several include the flexibility to use these funds to cover lost revenue. It remains unclear at this time whether the forthcoming stimulus package from House Democrats will include the flexibility provisions, or perhaps more importantly, if there is sufficient bipartisan support to ensure it is included in any final deal negotiated with the Senate and the White House. 

Broward County
Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry has issued Emergency Order 20-09, effective Friday, May 8, 2020. In summary, the Order clarifies some provisions of Emergency Order 20-08 and:

Extends the existing closure of Broward County beaches.
Clarifies that marinas, boat docks, ramps, and other launching venues in Parks in Broward County may operate consistent with the guidelines set out in the previous order.
Limits operation of a jet ski to one rider, or multiple riders, if those riders reside in the same household.
Clarifies charter vessel’s boat capacity requirements.

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Updated 05/05/2020

Federal Government
"Operation Warp Speed" scientists in US have identified 14 coronavirus vaccines to focus on

• Scientists working as part of the White House’s “Operation Warp Speed” to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus have identified 14 vaccines to focus on for development, an administration official told CNN’s Jim Acosta.
• CNN’s Sara Murray reports "Operation Warp Speed" was a name chosen by the scientists working on all the challenges that surround vaccine deployment.
• They are already working on solutions to quickly ramp up production, organize distribution and determine who gets the first doses of the vaccine.
• Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, told NBC on Thursday it’s possible there could be a vaccine by early next year.

State of Florida
Governor DeSantis orders investigation of state’s troubled unemployment claims system

• Governor DeSantis said, on Monday, he will order an inspector general to investigate how Florida paid nearly $80 million to build an unemployment claims system only to see it overwhelmed by thousands of jobless workers thrown out of work amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• Speaking at a news conference in Tallahassee, Governor DeSantis retraced nearly two months of troubles that faced the unemployed as many unsuccessfully applied for benefits or did not get paid if they were approved.

Florida sales tax collections down by more than $750 million, preliminary reports show

• Florida sales tax collections from March are as much as $770 million below estimates for the month, according to preliminary revenue reports obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.
• That’s about 25 percent less than the state expected to raise in sales tax revenue for the month, according to the reports.
• April collections are expected to be worse: Walt Disney World didn’t shut down until halfway through March, for instance, and Governor DeSantis didn’t issue a statewide shelter-in-place order until the beginning of April.

Testing for coronavirus antibodies to increase as Florida starts reopening, Governor DeSantis says

• As much of Florida starts reopening on a limited basis, about 200,000 antibody tests have arrived to determine who had the new coronavirus but wasn’t counted in the state’s tally of cases, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday.
• Antibody testing is different than the nasal swabs Florida has been doing at drive-thru and walk-up locations throughout the state and will help find mild or asymptomatic cases that were missed, DeSantis said Sunday in Daytona Beach.
• “What they are finding throughout the country ... is the number of people with the antibodies far exceeds the number of people who have actually tested positive in a diagnostic test," DeSantis said. "That has implications with how you deal with the epidemic going forward.”
• The state plans to partner with universities to conduct random antibody testing, which will give scientists a better idea of how extensively the virus has spread through the community.

Broward County
Broward County Offers Mobile and In-Home COVID-19 Testing

• Broward County, the Florida Department of Health in Broward (FDOH-Broward), American Medical Response (AMR) and Century Ambulance Services (CAS) are set to launch, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, a new mobile/in-home testing program that continues efforts to increase the number of COVID-19 tests that health professionals are able to administer to residents.
• Residents eligible for the new testing option include homebound elderly or individuals with disabilities who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and cannot leave their homes to access one of the drive-up or walk-up test collection sites.
• Initial hours of operation will be from 9AM - Noon, and 1PM - 4PM, Monday through Friday. AMR and CAS will each collect up to 12 specimens per day but will have the capability to ramp up staffing to complete up to 25 tests per day. Florida Department of Health in Broward will be prepared to receive and process up to 50 specimens daily from AMR and CAS.
• FDOH-Broward will manage the overall testing process, provide training to the collection teams, and provide specimen collection kits and any materials needed to package, store and transport specimens. FDOH-Broward will also notify residents of test results, and conduct contact tracing for those individuals that test positive for COVID-19.
• AMR and CAS will provide vehicles and health professionals to collect specimens using nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs. Specimens will be transported to the FDOH daily, according to all professional standards for specimen handling and transport. AMR and CAS will follow all infection control recommendations of the CDC.
• Residents who believe they are eligible for the mobile/in-home testing option should call the Broward County COVID-19 Call Center at 954-357-9500 for a pre-qualifying assessment. The Call Center is open from 8AM to 6PM seven days a week.

Broward County City Manager Association (BCCMA) Letter to Governor DeSantis

• Please find here a letter sent to Governor Ron DeSantis by Greg Harrison, President of BCCMA, on behalf of all 31 Broward Municipalities.
• The letter is regarding CARES Act $139 billion funding received by the State and requesting consideration to provide Broward municipalities with funding to mitigate COVID-19 expenditures and lost revenue.

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Updated 04/30/2020

Federal Government
1. According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases, the novel coronavirus has infected 3,271,892 million people and killed more than 232,817 worldwide.

• The U.S. has reported more than 1,067,061 cases, with 62,860 deaths (New York: 23,545 deaths)

2. White House Task Force Briefing

• The White House coronavirus task force did not meet for a fifth day in a row.

3. The Federal Reserve announced they will be expanding the scope and eligibility of the Main Street Lending Program by lowering the minimum loan size and expanding the pool of businesses eligible. A press release announcing this expansion may be found here.  

• As we have previously reported, the Federal Reserve established the Main Street Lending Program earlier this month to provide enhanced support for small and mid-sized businesses in good financial standing prior to the outbreak with up to 10,000 employees or revenues of less than $2.5 billion in the form of 4-year loans. 
• Businesses with up to 15,000 employees or up to $5 billion in annual revenue will now be able to receive loans under this program. 
• Additionally, the minimum loan size has been lowered from $1 million to $500,000 to offer more loans and loan options to a wider variety of small to mid-sized businesses.  
• An updated term sheet may be found here, an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document here. 

4. The Department of Education published additional guidance for state and local educational agencies regarding the transfer of formula grant funds to meet pressing needs caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which may be accessed here. 

• Additionally, the Department will allow equipment and supplies purchased with Department grant funds not currently being used due to the pandemic to be repurposed and used to address emergency needs beyond the funding’s intended use, such as distance learning. 
• Additional information on current uses of unused grant funding may be found here. 

5. More than 30 million Americans have filed initial unemployment claims since mid-March.

6. President Trump announces additional steps to protect seniors

• President Trump outlined additional steps the administration will take to protect seniors from coronavirus, saying FEMA will send supplemental shipments of personal protective equipment to all 15,400 Medicaid and Medicare certified nursing homes in America.
• He also said that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will provide states with $81 million dollars from the CARES Act to increase inspections of nursing homes.
• Trump announced that a new rule will be finalized this week requiring information about coronavirus cases in nursing homes to be reported directly to the CDC and testing data be posted online. The new rule will also require nursing homes to report cases to residents and their family members. 
• President Trump also announced the formation of the “Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes.”
  • President Trump said the commission will be made up of leading industry experts, doctors and scientists, resident and patient advocates and others. The commission will convene in May 2020 and issue recommendations for additional steps to protect seniors, he added.

State of Florida
1. Florida Department of Health daily report as of 6:30PM today:

• Miramar: 320 confirmed cases
  • Cases in 33023: 201 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Park, West Park, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Ives Estates)
  • Cases in 33025: 213 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33027: 143 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33029: 102 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines)
• State of Florida: 33,690 confirmed cases and 1,268 deaths
  • Miami-Dade: 12,063 infections and 352 deaths
  • Broward: 4,953 and 185 deaths
  • Palm Beach: 2,963 infections and 186 deaths

2. Available here is the full report of the Re-Open Florida Task Force.  The report includes recommendations regarding Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the reopening.  In his remarks yesterday, Governor DeSantis discussed reviewing the various recommendations from the task force and industry working groups.  

• For Phase 1, Governor DeSantis adopted some, but not all, of the task force recommendations, and reminded us that the he is considering the task force recommendations along with other factors such as data, metrics and advice from health experts, all of which will be used as he continues to formulate and implement his reopening plan.  
• A reminder that Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County are not included in the Phase 1 re-opening.  
• Key takeaways from the report are as follows:
• Benchmarks for Re-Opening (p. 9) includes information regarding data points identified by the Department of Health that should be considered.
• General mitigation guidance for individuals and employers (p. 12 and 13)
• General protocols that are applicable statewide and at every phase of reopening (p. 14 and 15)
• Phase 1 recommendation included some recommendations that the Governor did not accept, including opening gyms and fitness centers (at limited occupancy), and personal services businesses such as salons (also at limited occupancy and with addtl. guidelines)
• Phase 2 recommendation that in-person local government meetings can resume with quorum and limited attendance, with continued allowance of the use of technology and video conferencing for public participation at local government meetings (p. 24)
• Phase 2 recommendation for spectator sports to resume at 50% capacity (p. 25)
• Phase 2 recommendation that vacation rentals open for in-state reservations only (p. 25)
• Ongoing considerations (p. 30):  includes recommendations related to education including that plans be made for schools to resume on-campus learning for the 2020-21 school year and that the Department of  Education develop a plan to phase-in education, safely, during the summer months to provide supplemental education for closing achievement gaps for early learning through K-12 students who may need additional supports due to COVID-19 school closures.
  • Ongoing considerations (p. 30) also discusses plans for Florida’s postsecondary institutions, recommending they should continue to implement distance learning measures to the extent possible and develop a plan for return to on-campus instruction.
  • Ongoing considerations (p. 31) provides recommendations related to hurricane preparedness business disaster planning.

3. Last night, Governor DeSantis released two Executive Orders (attached), as follows:

• Executive Order 20-111 which extends Executive Orders 20-87 and 20-91, until 12:01 am May 4, 2020.  
  • Executive Order 20-111 provides a limited extension of the following two orders until the Executive Order 20-112 goes into effect and, essentially, provides exceptions to these two orders at 12:01 am on May 4th, 2020.
    • Extending E.O. 20-87 which ordered all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in. Link to E.O. 20-87: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-87.pdf   
    • Extending E.O. 20-91 which was the limited statewide “Essential Services and Activities during Covid-19 Emergency (“Stay At Home”) order requiring all persons in Florida to limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities. Link to E.O. 20-91: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-91-compressed.pdf  
• Executive Order 20-112 regarding Florida’s “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” Phase 1 – Plan for Recovery, both summarized below.
  • Executive Order 20-112 Florida's Recovery provides the details of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Phase 1 and details the exceptions to the prior orders.  Specific details of the orders are below. 
    • Section 1: Implements Florida’s “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” Phase 1 – Plan for Recovery   
    • Section 2: Requires responsible individual activity – all persons in Florida shall continue to limit their personal interactions outside of the home. However, this order does specify certain services and activities that are allowed as described in 20-91.  
      • Additional services in section 3 and 4 of E.O. 20-112 in counties other than Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
      • Specific to senior citizens and individuals with significant underlying medical conditions, are strongly encouraged to stay at home.
      • For the duration of this order, all persons in Florida should:
        • Avoid congregating in large groups
        • Avoid nonessential travel
        • Adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation for 14 days following travel on a cruise of from any international duration and any area with a significance presence of Covid-19
      • Extends E.O. 20-80 which directly affects airport screening and isolation and E.O. 20-82 dealing with the isolation of individuals traveling to Florida. This also extends sections 1C and 1D of E.O. 20-86, which provides additional requirements of those traveling to Florida, and allows FDOT and FHP to continue to implement checkpoints as necessary.
  • Section 3: Business Restrictions – continues several provisions that directly apply to businesses restricted by previous E.O.s
    • Bars, pubs, and nightclubs, that derive more than 50% of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages shall continue to suspend the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
    • Restaurants may allow on-premises dining with social distancing measures and limitations on their indoor occupancy to no more than 25% of their building occupancy. Outdoor seating is permissible with appropriate social distancing, which requires a minimum of 6 feet between parties, seating of 10 or fewer, with restaurant bars closed.
    • Gyms and fitness centers shall remain closed
    • Vacation rentals prohibition remains in effect 
    • DBPR is authorized to implement and enforce provisions in this order as appropriate
  • Section 4: Other Affected Business Services – outlines allowable functions by in-store retail establishments to operate at no more than 25% of occupancy.  Also allowed to operate are museums and libraries which may open at no more than 25% of occupancy, (local public museums and libraries may only operate if allowed by their local government. Any interactive functions or exhibits must remain closed.
  • Section 5: Medical Procedures – allows for specified elective medical procedures, that must comply with specific requirements detailed within this order. 
  • Section 6: Local Government Meetings – extends E.O. 20-69 that allows for virtual public meetings of local governments for the duration of this order.
  • Section 7: Enforcement – enforced under s. 252.47 F.S. A violation of this order is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to s. 252.50 F.S. and punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.
  • In addition, here is the FAQ sheet the Governor’s office issued for Executive Order 2020-112.

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Federal Government
1. According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases, the novel coronavirus has infected 3,189,017 million people and killed more than 227,247 worldwide.

• The U.S. has reported more than 1,037,970 cases, with 60,853 deaths (New York: 23,477 deaths)

2. White House Task Force Briefing

• The White House coronavirus task force did not meet for a fourth day in a row.

3. In response to criticism that large corporations and organizations had received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended for small businesses, the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve announced they will now be reviewing all loans of more than $2 million, a press release of which may be found here. 

• This announcement comes in addition to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) interim final rule published earlier this week that explicitly prohibits hedge funds and private equity firms from receiving PPP loans. 

State of Florida
1. Florida Department of Health daily report as of 8:30 PM, April 29th:

• Miramar: 317 confirmed cases
  • Cases in 33023: 201 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Park, West Park, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Ives Estates)
  • Cases in 33025: 213 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33027: 143 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33029: 102 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines)
• State of Florida: 33,193 confirmed cases and 1,218 deaths
  • Miami-Dade: 11,927 infections and 338 deaths
  • Broward: 4,898 and 182 deaths
  • Palm Beach: 2,911 infections and 178 deaths

2. Yesterday, April 29th, Governor DeSantis held a lengthy press conference in which he announced Phase 1 of the reopening of Florida. This announcement was followed by Executive Order 2020-112.  

• Details of Phase 1 of the “Safe, Smart, Step-by-Step” plan are:
  • Reopen plan is set to begin on Monday, May 4th
  • Does not include Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach Counties;
  • Schools remain distance learning; 
  • Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited; 
  • Elective surgeries can resume;
  • Restaurants may offer outdoor seating with six-foot space between tables and indoor seating at 25% capacity;
  • Retail can operate at 25% of indoor capacity; 
  • No change for bars, gyms and personal services such as hair dressers;
  • Vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside the home;
  • All individuals, when in public, should maximize physical distance from others.
  • Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow physical distancing;
  • Face masks are recommended for all those in face-to-face interactions and where you can’t social distance. 

The Governor also outlined the guiding principles that will be used for the reopening.  They are:

• Public Health and Safety
• Protection of the Vulnerable
• Health Care System Readiness
• Economic Recovery
• Protection of Civil Liberties & Maintaining Individual Rights
• Public Confidence
• Partnership with Local Communities

 

Governor DeSantis discussed Florida’s overall plan against Covid-19 at length, which includes increasing testing.  He further announced several new walk-up testing sites, including: Miami-Dade (Holy Family Catholic Church focused on Haitian Community); Palm Beach (Riviera Beach site will open next week); Collier County (site in Immokalee is opening).  Additional drive thru testing sites, including:  Broward County (War Memorial opening tomorrow); Escambia County (UWF opening a site on Friday); Lee County (site to open at Minnesota Twins spring training stadium next week); Sarasota/Manatee County (University Town Center opening next week); Miami-Dade County (shared walk-up and drive thru site at Miami Beach Convention Center).

 

The Governor also indicated that the reopening would be methodical and data driven.  Here are the key metrics that will be used to move to next steps:

• The state maintains the benchmarks of the Safe, Smart, Step-by-Step Plan; 
• Maintaining hospital bed capacity; 
• Monitoring Covid-19 test positivity rate. 

The Governor believes that next steps do not need to take months, but rather, will be based in established health metrics and guided by medical authorities. 
 
The Governor was asked if his order would supersede other local orders.  He answered that, first, he did not include Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach and indicated he is working closely with local officials in those communities.  Additionally, he said that he did not include a local preemption, but believed that local communities would follow based on the criteria used. 
 
The Governor also indicated that he has read the report by the Reopen Florida Task Force and said he took some of their recommendations, but not all.  He also went through a PowerPoint presentation, which included various facts and information he reviewed in order to take this step. 

  
Local/Broward
Update #23 on COVID-19: Broward County Cautiously Reopening

• Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry signed Emergency Order 20-08 on Tuesday, effective April 29, 2020, authorizing the limited reopening of select parks, natural areas, boat ramps, marinas, golf courses, pools and other amenities. 
• The new Order comes as conditions in the County start to improve, and signals the first easing of certain restrictions in Broward. It was developed in close collaboration with Broward’s 31 municipalities as well as neighboring counties, thereby coordinating the limited re-opening across South Florida’s largest urban areas. 
• The County’s guidelines will serve as a minimum standard. The municipalities and facility owners/operators may impose similar or more stringent guidelines on re-openings in their local communities. 
• Restrictions apply and are detailed in the Order’s attachments:
  • Attachment 1: CDC Social Distancing Guidelines
  • Attachment 2: Parks in Broward County Limited Reopening Guidelines
  • Attachment 3: Boating and Marine Activities Requirements
  • Attachment 4: Golf Course Limited Reopening Requirements
• Allowable County park activities include walking, running and jogging, singles play tennis and singles play disc golf. Use of park buildings or park equipment, except limited use of restroom facilities, is still prohibited. Social distancing must be maintained at all times, and facial coverings must be worn if social distancing cannot be maintained. Park offices are not open to the public, however guests can call park offices with questions. 
• Broward County beaches remain closed.
• While conditions across the County continue to improve, it is imperative that residents continue to follow all the safety guidelines recommended by the Florida Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and applicable Emergency Orders. Law enforcement is authorized to enforce the order and violations may result in restrictions being re-imposed.
• Collaborations with health professionals, municipal partners, neighboring counties and the Governor’s office are continuing as we determine the “safest” way to fully reopen our community.

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Updated 04/29/2020

Federal Government
According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases, the novel coronavirus has infected 3,111,730 million people and killed more than 216,808 worldwide.

• The U.S. has reported more than 1,011,600 cases, with 58,343 deaths (New York: 22,912 deaths) 

White House Task Force Briefing

• The White House coronavirus task force did not meet for a third day in a row.

Georgia's daily coronavirus deaths will nearly double by August 2020 with relaxed social distancing, model suggests 

• As some Southeastern US states start to reopen, Georgia is projected to see its number of daily Covid-19 deaths nearly double by early August, according to a model shared by the CDC and created by independent researcher Youyang Gu.
• With the assumption of relaxed social distancing, the model predicts that the number of Covid-19 deaths per day in Georgia will jump from 32 people dying on May 1st to a projected 63 people dying per day by August 4th. 
• Currently, 995 people have died from Covid-19 in Georgia, according to the model, and it projects that number could climb to 4,691 by August 4th. The projection for total deaths in the state provides a range of estimates between 1,686 deaths on the lower end to up to 15,620 deaths on the higher end. 
• The same model anticipates that for Florida, deaths per day will fall from 37 on May 1st to 28 by August 4th, with total deaths reaching 3,456 by August 4th. 

The Federal Reserve announced they will be expanding the scope and duration of the Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) by lowering the population thresholds for counties and cities to participate. A press release announcing this expansion may be found here.  

• As we have previously reported, the Federal Reserve established the MLF earlier this month to support state and local governments manage cash flow pressures related to the coronavirus pandemic by purchasing up to $500 billion of short term municipal notes. 
• Initially, the Federal Reserve established that it would purchase notes from counties with a population of at least 2 million residents, and cities with a population of at least 1 million residents, however these thresholds have been lowered to a population of at least 500,000 people for counties and 250,000 for cities. 
• Additionally, the Federal Reserve will now allow certain multistate entities to participate. 
• An updated term sheet may be found here, an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document here, and a listing of the Municipal Facility Limit per state, and eligible localities here.  

The Department of Education announced the availability of more than $307.5 million in discretionary grant funds to states to establish innovative K-12 and postsecondary learning environments in response to the coronavirus pandemic, of which a press release may be found here. 

• ​As we have reported, the CARES Act provided $30.75 billion for the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF), of which 1% is for states with the highest coronavirus burden. 
• Of the $300 million, $180 million will be available for the Rethink K-12 Education Models Grant, which is aimed at establishing and expanding innovative ways for students to access K-12 education during the coronavirus. More information on this grant competition may be found here. 
• The remaining $127.5 million will be available for the Reimagining Workforce Preparation Grants to expand short-term postsecondary and work-based programs, more information of which may be found here. 

State of Florida
Florida Department of Health daily report as of 7:00PM April 28, 2020:

• Miramar: 312 confirmed cases
  • Cases in 33023: 198 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Park, West Park, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Ives Estates)
  • Cases in 33025: 212 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33027: 143 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33029: 102 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines)
• State of Florida: 32,846 confirmed cases and 1,171 deaths
  • Miami-Dade: 11,831 infections and 324 deaths
  • Broward: 4,847 and 179 deaths
  • Palm Beach: 2,877 infections and 173 deaths

Governor DeSantis, appearing Tuesday in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, said he would present his plan for reopening Florida on Wednesday, April 29th 
 
COVID-19: Price gouging, robocalls, census scams prompt statewide warnings, crackdown
• Criminal schemes aiming to capitalize on pandemic fears are spreading almost as fast as the COVID-19 virus itself. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office has issued another Consumer Alert about price gouging.
• AG Moody’s office has issued nearly 70 subpoenas, deactivated more than 185 online posts, and secured over $275,000 in direct refunds for consumers to combat price gouging.
• The Rapid Response Team that was set up to monitor price gouging has received more than 3,800 consumer complaints and has contacted merchants about 5,000 allegations of price gouging, refunds, and scams.

FPL customers to get one-time discount in May
• State utility regulators have approved Florida Power & Light’s bid to give customers a nearly 25% discount off electricity consumed in May, the utility announced Tuesday.

Broward County

Broward County issued Executive Order 20-08, regarding the reopening of Broward county parks and recreational facilities.

Mental health meltdown looms for South Florida, and coronavirus is the trigger

• South Florida mental health counselors and law enforcement leaders are preparing for an unprecedented level of mental health emergencies, because of COVID-19.                                                               
• Calls to the 211 helpline in Broward County related to mental health increased 118% from March to April and suicide-related calls increased 86%. Law enforcement officials also saw an increase in mental health-related calls to 911 between March 1 and April 22 — the time when the new coronavirus began to spread in Florida, and many businesses and schools closed — compared to the same time period last year.

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Updated 04/28/2020

Federal Government

1. According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases, the novel coronavirus has infected 3,035,177 million people and killed more than 210,611 worldwide.

• The U.S. has reported more than 985,443 cases, with 55,952 deaths (New York: 22,585 deaths). 

2. White House Task Force Briefing

• President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force released additional guidance on how states should proceed with reopening their economies and scale up testing.
• Today, Dr. Deborah Birx and Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Dr. Brett Giroir presented the eight-part plan.
• Dr. Giroir said the eight parts are grouped into three distinct phases. He said the U.S. has accomplished all parts of the first two phases, and are now working to fulfill stage three by supporting reopening state economies.

Here's what the blueprint suggests:

• Stage 1: Launch

1. Build the foundation for diagnostic testing

2. Mobilize the private sector to develop tests

3. Issue Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for tests

4. Galvanize commercial and research laboratories and professional associations to ramp up testing capacity

5. Facilitate state efforts to access and utilize all available testing capacity

• Stage 2: Scale

6. Identify and expand public and private-sector testing infrastructure

7. Strengthen testing supply chain

• Stage 3: Support opening up again

8. Coordinate with governors to support testing plans and rapid response programs

 
3. CDC adds six COVID-19 symptoms to its list, but many doctors, hospitals already had been using them

• The CDC added the six possible symptoms of COVID-19 to three previously listed symptoms. New are: Chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. Previously just fever, cough and shortness of breath were officially listed as known symptoms. 

4. Federal government says lump payments not required for Fannie and Freddie home loan borrowers who take coronavirus delay

• The federal agency that oversees 28 million government-backed home loans is reassuring its borrowers that they won’t be required to make a lump sum payment if they opt to hit pause on their mortgage payments as allowed by coronavirus relief measures enacted in March 2020.
• Under the federal CARES Act passed in March 2020, all borrowers of federally backed loans, including those owned by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the Veterans Administration (VA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), can skip payments for up to 12 months.
• The federal guarantors have been instructing mortgage servicers to grant these forbearance requests in three-month increments and require borrowers to request extensions at the end of each increment.
• The guarantors have emergency programs in place that provide borrowers with alternatives to repaying those missed amounts all at once when they are ready to resume making monthly payments.
• Mortgage servicers will attempt to contact homeowners 30 days before their forbearance plan is scheduled to end to discuss which repayment option will be best for them at that time, according to a statement on the Fannie Mae website released in conjunction with FHFA’s news release.
• Options for customers with loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac include spreading the payments over a fixed period of time up to a year, or modifying the loan by shifting the missed payments to the end of the loan. For borrowers who won’t be able to resume the same payments as before the crisis, a third option would reduce the amount due each month by extending the loan term.
• Similar options are available for borrowers with loans backed by the VA, FHA and USDA that also do not require lump sum repayment of the missed months.
• Online lookup tools are available to find out whether your loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. For Fannie Mae, go to knowyouroptions.com/loanlookup. For Freddie Mac, go to www.freddiemac.com/loanlookup. 
• None of the federal emergency measures require lenders or mortgage servicers to provide any relief for mortgage loans that are not federally guaranteed. About 30 percent fall into that category, according to The Urban Institute, a nonprofit economic and social policy research agency. 

5. The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced this morning they had resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications (press release available here). 

• As we reported, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Healthcare Enhancement Act into law on Friday afternoon which provided PPP with an additional $310 billion. The SBA was forced to suspend the issuance of new PPP loans last week after the $349 billion initially included for PPP under the CARES Act was depleted after providing loans to approximately 1.66 million small businesses. 
• Over the weekend, the SBA also published an interim final rule, available here, providing clarifications and new guidance relating to PPP affiliation and eligibility for different types of borrowers. Specifically, the interim final rule provides detailed guidance for hedge funds and private equity firms, entities receiving gambling revenue, hospitals owned by government entities, companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), and companies in bankruptcy. The rule also provides further guidance on promissory notes and authorization requirements. 
• Additionally, the SBA published an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document to accompany and supplement the final interim rule, which is available here.  

State of Florida

1. Florida Department of Health daily report as of 7:00PM April 27, 2020:

• Miramar: 312 confirmed cases
  • Cases in 33023: 197 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Park, West Park, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Ives Estates)
  • Cases in 33025: 211 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33027: 143 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33029: 102 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines)
• State of Florida: 32,138 confirmed cases and 1,088 deaths
  • Miami-Dade: 11,570 infections and 302 deaths
  • Broward: 4,794 and 174 deaths
  • Palm Beach: 2,763 infections and 156 deaths

2. Unemployed still blocked and frustrated after upgrades to jobless claims system

• Even after the state shut down the unemployment claims system over the weekend to make improvements, people trying to file new claims or check the status of existing ones today said they were improperly ruled ineligible for benefits, or denied their first week’s unemployment check. 
• The latest numbers posted on a daily dashboard maintained by the agency showed the state had received more than 1.8 million applications since March 15th. More than half were likely duplicates, the states says, because many unemployed workers filed both online and via paper applications, which were made available by the agency three weeks ago.
• As of today, the dashboard showed 824,279 claims had been confirmed as submitted, 610,152 had been processed and of that figure, 209,713 people had been paid a total of $200.9 million.
• “You see the number where not everybody is eligible,” Governor DeSantis said. “There are some people who are applying who haven’t worked for quite some time.” 

Local/Broward County

BCPS Legislative/Governmental Affairs Update

Weekly Video Update from Superintendent Robert W. Runcie (April 25, 2020):

This week, Superintendent Runcie shares news about the District’s newest partner, graduation plans, a new schedule for food distribution pick-up and a story that teaches us all an important lesson.

Please click on this link to watch: https://eduvision.tv/l?memOLg.

Also, please click here to view a message from Superintendent Robert W. Runcie addressing concerns about Virtual Graduation plans. 

New Social and Emotional Learning Resources for Teachers, Staff, Students and Parents 


Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is partnering with Rethink Ed to offer extensive social emotional learning (SEL) resources to students, staff and parents, including lessons, trainings, mental health supports, self-assessments and additional materials related to SEL.
 
Rethink Ed SEL is a comprehensive K-12 online platform that provides opportunities for students of all ages and abilities, as well as teachers, administrators and parents, to access on-demand videos and resources to assist with managing mental health and wellness. Educators can also access instructional materials, lessons and activities for their students.
 
BCPS educators and students can access Rethink Ed resources from their Clever launchpad (sso.browardschools.com), by clicking on the Rethink Ed tile in the Request Center to find the app. The resources can be directly accessed at https://go.rethinkfirst.com/supportbrowardpublicschools.
 
Parents can access Rethink Ed by visiting https://go.rethinkfirst.com/supportbrowardpublicschools and scrolling to the bottom of the homepage for information on how to create their own free Rethink Ed account.
 
For more information on the District’s commitment to social and emotional learning, visit browardschools.com/SEL.
                                                                
South Florida hospitals start planning to resume elective services
Florida hospitals, outpatient centers and doctors’ offices are putting plans in place to reopen for elective surgeries and other procedures when the governor’s executive order banning those procedures expires on May 8th. 
 
South Florida counties opening recreational facilities, with limits

• Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties are reopening recreational facilities — with limits — starting Wednesday, April 29th. 
• Golf courses, boat ramps, marinas, and pools in multifamily developments will be allowed to open, said Broward Mayor Dale Holness said, but not beaches.
  
  • Golf courses will have limited hours, caddies won’t be allowed and only one player will be allowed on each golf cart unless the cart users reside in the same household. (Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner said county-owned golf courses won’t be ready to open on Wednesday, but people can start reserving tee times.)
  • Boat ramps will be limited to one boat at a time.
  • Pools in multifamily developments such as condos may open only for residents. Staffs will be required to sanitize chairs, railings and gates.
• Below you will find information and updates about phased re-openings in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties as well as the City of Miami. 
  

 
Palm Beach County adds two new walk-up test sites

• The Health Care District of Palm Beach County announced Monday evening that two new walk-up coronavirus test sites would begin taking appointments Tuesday, April 28th. 
• The sites will be at C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics at 1150 45th Street in West Palm Beach and 411 West Indiantown Road in Jupiter. 
• Residents are asked to call 561-642-10000. 
• Testing will begin Wednesday, April 29th in West Palm Beach and Thursday, April 30th in Jupiter.

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Updated 04/24/2020

Federal Government

1. According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases, the novel coronavirus has infected 2,790,986 million people and killed more than 195,920 worldwide.

• The U.S. has reported more than 890,524 cases, with 51,017 deaths (New York: 21,349 deaths)

2. FEMA announced that the $100 million included in the CARES Act for the Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) will become available on Tuesday, April 28th. 

• This funding will be specifically available for the purchase of personal protective equipment, and other related supplies, for firefighters who provide lifesaving emergency medical response. The AFG COVID-19 Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) may be found here, and additional guidance documents here. 

3. The Department of Education announced the availability of over $13.2 billion in emergency relief funding authorized by the CARES Act for state and local education agencies, a press release of which can be found here. 

• This funding, the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief (ESSER) Fund, will be used to support K-12 students during the coronavirus pandemic and respond to immediate needs such as resources for distance learning, ensuring student health and safety, and planning for the next academic school year. 
• State allocations may be found here, and state education agencies must allocate at least 90% of ESSER funds to local education agencies, including public charter schools. 
• The remaining 10% may be retained by the state agency to respond to immediate needs related to mitigating the coronavirus. 
• States have until July 1st to submit the certification and agreement document, found here, to access these funds, but the Department has indicated that their goal is to obligate funds within three days of receiving the state’s certification. 

State of Florida

1. Florida Department of Health daily report as of 6:00PM, Friday, April 24th:

• Miramar: 298 confirmed cases
  • Cases in 33023: 190 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Park, West Park, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Ives Estates)
  • Cases in 33025: 200 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33027: 140 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33029: 100 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines)
• State of Florida: 30,533 confirmed cases and 1,046 deaths
  • Miami-Dade: 10,926 infections and 287 deaths
  • Broward: 4,591 and 162 deaths
  • Palm Beach: 2,600 infections and 155 deaths

2. Governor DeSantis doesn’t set date, stresses importance of getting it right

• Governor DeSantis said Friday he and his Reopen Florida Task Force are having thorough and methodical talks when it comes to planning on reopening the state’s economy.
• Governor DeSantis has not officially said yet what his plans are for reopening the State of Florida, which has been under a safer-at-home order since April 3rd. The executive order is set to expire on April 30th unless DeSantis chooses to extend it.
• “I’m not as concerned with specific dates as I am with getting right,” DeSantis said. “I don’t have an artificial date for that.”
• The governor noted he would be working throughout the weekend and in the coming days to develop a plan but stressed he wants to make sure he’s making the right decisions.
• “If you do it right, we’ll be able to build off this and get to a place where people can get back on their feet,” he added.
• The governor placed heavy emphasis on testing, saying it would be a “very important component” going forward.

3. Governor DeSantis says pharmacies will begin testing

• The details still need to be sorted out, but the governor said drug stores would be able to order and administer tests. He said the idea is that if people think they’ve been exposed to someone with the disease they can easily go to a neighborhood pharmacy.
• More than 133,000 people in South Florida have been tested for the new coronavirus so far, with the percentage of infections continuing to exceed the statewide average, state data released Friday shows.
• There have been 318,827 people swabbed across the state since the outbreak began, with 9.5%, or 30,174 people, having positive results.

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Updated 04/23/2020

Federal Government
According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases, the novel coronavirus has infected 2,620,579 million people and killed more than 182,903 worldwide.

• The U.S. has reported more than 837,947 cases, with 46,497 deaths (New York: 19,413 deaths).

White House Task Briefing President Trump says he signed immigration executive order before briefing.  

• The order is expected to temporarily halt the issuance of new green cards and work visas — steps that had already effectively already been in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• "In order to protect our great American workers, I've just signed an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States. This will ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy reopens. Crucially, it will also preserve our health care resources for American patients," he said.

President Trump tasks council to assist minority communities affected by coronavirus. 

• President Trump said Wednesday that he would be tasking an existing White House council, led by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, with determining how to assist minority communities impacted by coronavirus.
• The council will seek input from the private sector and community leaders on how we can best support minority and distressed communities," President Trump said.

Fauci says the US must "carefully consider how we get back to normal". 

• Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci championed the mitigation efforts implemented across the US and considers them the "basis for our being able to say that we can now think seriously about reopening America."
• Fauci concluded his remarks with a request for lawmakers around the country to be careful to avoid a "rebound" of coronavirus cases.

CDC director clarifies comments about the second wave of coronavirus in the US.

• The director of the CDC, Robert Redfield, clarified comments he made to the Washington Post about how the second coronavirus outbreak could emerge this winter in conjunction with the flu season to make for an even more dire health crisis.
• Speaking moments ago at the White House, Redfield said that the second wave "could be more difficult, more complicated" and not "worse." 

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced earlier today that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has increased the monthly benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by 40% to ensure low-income individuals have access to food amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

• A press release announcing this increase can be found here.  The USDA is now providing $2 billion per month in SNAP benefits. 
• For the average 5-person household, the increase would approximately equate to an additional $240 per month in food purchasing power and their benefits would be about even with households that receive maximum benefits. 

State of Florida
​​1. Florida Department of Health daily report as of 7:00PM, April 22nd:

• Miramar: 273 confirmed cases
  • Cases in 33023: 175 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Park, West Park, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Ives Estates)
  • Cases in 33025: 187 (includes all or parts of: Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33027: 130 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Country Club)
  • Cases in 33029: 84 (includes all or parts of: Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines)
• State of Florida: 28,576 confirmed cases and 927 deaths
  • Miami-Dade: 10,153 infections and 240 deaths
  • Broward: 4,228 and 141 deaths
  • Palm Beach: 2,403 infections and 131 deaths 

2. Governor: Hospitals could soon lift restrictions on non-essential surgeries.

• Governor DeSantis signaled on Tuesday that he might be ready to follow federal guidelines that call for letting doctors and hospitals again provide procedures that have been halted during the coronavirus crisis. 

3. Florida school districts could see 25% cut in state funding.

• The coronavirus pandemic could result in cuts of up to 25% in state funding to public schools, Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie predicted Tuesday, April 21st. 

4. New federal rule requires nursing homes to disclose coronavirus infections to residents and families

• Florida nursing homes are now required to disclose a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus to residents and their families within 12 hours under new federal guidelines. 

5. Poll shows 72% of Florida voters want social distancing rules continued past April.

• A Quinnipiac University Poll released Wednesday found 72% of Florida voters don’t want social-distancing rules eased before May; 22% disagreed.
• Even more voters — 76% — don’t want the state’s economy opened until public health officials deem it safe to do so. Just 17% said the economy should be reopened even if public health officials warn against it. 

6. Palm Beach, Miami-Dade counties to get walk-up testing; 1,600 people swabbed at Broward sites.

• There’s been plenty of foot traffic at two walk-up COVID-19 testing sites that opened in Broward County during the past week. So far, 1,599 people have been swabbed at the community locations in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Governor DeSantis said Wednesday.
• The program’s success prompted state officials to roll out more walk-up sites in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. No locations have been announced, but there also will be sites added in Orange, Hillsborough, Duval and Leon counties, the governor said.

Local / Broward County

 

• The number of people diagnosed with the new coronavirus in Broward County has dropped for five straight days, state records show.
• Even as Broward’s case count drops, more than 900 new cases and almost 50 deaths have been counted in the past week. 

• Broward County parks, while closed to the public, are open and hosting test collection sites, food distribution sites, and emergency distribution centers for critical supplies. Broward County has received numerous shipments of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the State of Florida, with the majority earmarked for Assisted Living Facilities, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, First Responders and Municipalities. 
• Broward County Transit buses are providing vital transportation to those who depend on it.
• Since March 21st, the County’s COVID-19 Call Center has answered more than 13,000 calls; approximately 21 percent of over-the-phone pre-screenings are referred to the Health Department for further evaluation. The Call Center is open 8AM to 6PM seven days a week, 954-357-9500.  
• The Broward County Commission approved the Cultural Division's awarding of a one-time grant to arts and cultural nonprofits, which will help to preserve jobs in Broward County's arts community. Two virtual application workshops are scheduled for April 24th and May 6th at 2PM. The application deadline is May 15th. 
• The Office of Economic and Small Business Development is continuing to provide technical assistance and support to help small businesses get the resources they need to get back on their feet.
• Animal Care has facilitated adoptions of 354 dogs and cats from our shelter, and many other services such as permitting, licensing and revenue collection continue to be offered online.
• Broward County continues to collaborate with health professionals, our municipal partners, and neighboring Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Monroe counties to determine the “safest” way to reopen our community. 

• Palm Beach County Schools plans to reduce its take-home meal program to once in a week in hopes of reducing employees’ exposure to coronavirus. 
• Right now, 35 feeding sites are open three days a week, and families can pick up two days worth of meals. Starting in early May, the sites will be open on Thursdays, and families can pick up 12 meals for their children, breakfast and lunch for six days. 
• The students will still receive fresh fruits and foods, Assistant Superintendent Glenda Sheffield said.  

• Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Robert W. Runcie announced plans for graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020. 
  • In a letter and video message sent today, Wednesday, April 22, 2020, the Superintendent outlined the District’s decision to host virtual graduation ceremonies honoring the achievements of BCPS high school seniors. 
  • Traditional graduation ceremonies, a customary celebration for students and their families, had to be altered due to restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.  
• $19 Million in Federal Student Aid Still Available for Broward Students: Broward County Public Schools Offers Free Help for Completing Application
  • Approximately $19 million in federal funds have yet to be claimed in Broward County. To determine eligibility,  students have to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).   Students are automatically considered for up to $6,300 in Federal Student Aid if the student or anyone in his or her immediate family receives free or reduced lunch, Medicaid benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants and Children. 
  • Errors made during the application process are the main reason why FAFSA submissions are rejected. To assist with the successful completion of the FAFSA, BCPS is offering free online labs every week: 
  • Weekdays beginning at 9 a.m.: 
    • Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/688621111 
    • Register at: https://seahawkFAFSA.eventbrite.com 
  • Saturdays: 3 – 5 p.m.: 
    • Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/650326615 
    • Register at: https://B2LFAFSA.eventbrite.com  
  • For additional information, visit www.browardschools.com/FAFSA or contact the District’s Broward Advisors for Continuing Education at 754-321-1675. 
• Mindfulness in BCPS – Building Resiliency & Cultivating Well Being
  • The Mindfulness in BCPS Canvas portal is designed to ensure that all students, families, and staff have access to high quality online mindfulness-based education, support, and resources.
  • Click HERE for a message from Superintendent Robert Runcie about “Mindfulness in BCPS” !!!

Updated 06/30/2020

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2020-2021 School Calendar was released today and is available here:

• School will begin on Wednesday, August 19th

Summer Meals Distribution 

• On June 9th Broward County Public Schools began its Summer Meals program at 49 school sites throughout the District. The list of schools is available here.
  
• Grab-and-go meal service will be open from 10 AM – 1 PM Tuesdays, providing children 18 years and younger, and adults who accompany them, with meals for the entire week. 
• Adults may receive meals for children who are not present by providing identification for the children. Adults wishing to receive meals must be present. Please, review the list of locations attached. 
• The sites include 6 Miramar schools, which are listed here. 

 Summer Hours of Operations 2020 (Monday-Thursday, NO FRIDAYS)

• Please see a letter informing all municipalities of the Broward County Public Schools Summer Hours of operation.  
• Effective Monday, June 8th, Summer Hours will be changed to Monday through Thursday, from 8 AM to 6 PM.

• The Virtual Call Center (VCC) will continue to be available during the summer break. This will assist with the demand for laptops, hotspots, and technical support as students engage in the District’s summer learning programs, in addition to programming with BCPS partner organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club.
• Additionally, BCPS will continue to provide physical technical support from six schools during the summer: Coconut Creek High School, Flanagan High School, McArthur High School, Nova High School, Plantation High School and Sunrise Middle School. The physical support sites will continue with appointments only, as assigned through the VCC. The schedule for the physical technology support sites will be Mondays through Wednesdays from 8 AM to 1 PM, and will provide break/fix services and replace broken devices as supplies permit. We will not be able to provide devices to students who did not receive a device prior to summer break.
• AT&T hotspots will be exchanged for Sprint devices at the physical technical support sites by making an appointment through the VCC.

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More Important BCPS Links

• Five Steps to Getting Started with BCPS Distance Learning
• Mental Health Resources for COVID-19
• Update on Academics During Coronavirus Closure
• Parent Instructions for Distance Learning
• Learning Never Closes – Instructions for ALL STUDENTS
• Update on State Testing and Other Requirements
• Click to find out how to get two months of FREE INTERNET access through COMCAST
  
  • Or call toll-free 1-855-846-8376
• Parent Guide to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov)
• Fact Sheet: What You Need to Know About the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov)
• Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For updates and information 24 hours a day, please visit the District’s website at: www.browardschools.com/coronavirus. 

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EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS (ELC)

• The Florida’s Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning have approved funding for Early Learning Coalitions (ELC) to administer free child care for parents who are first responders or health care workers regardless of income. This funding is retroactive to April 1, 2020, for children birth to 13 years old. Review the Governor's list of essential positions here.
  
• Visit www.elcbroward.org under COVID-19 Updates to apply. 

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CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL OF BROWARD COUNTY (CSC) 

Visit www.cscbroward.org/together4broward for information on food distribution locations in neighborhoods and across Broward County. Click here to find a food distribution site near you.

Updated 06/29/2020

CITY OF MIRAMAR

• MEALS ON WHEELS SOUTH FLORIDA: Meals on Wheels South Florida is providing meals, that will be delivered, to Seniors who are currently enrolled in the program. For more information, please call Community Services at 954-889-2719.
  
• SENIOR SERVICES: Closed
• ADULT DAYCARE: Closed
• MULTI-SERVICE COMPLEX: Modified schedule (10am to 4pm), please call 954-889-2719.

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK:
Please call Florida Department of Health in Broward County at 954-412-7300 and your healthcare provider before traveling to any healthcare facility.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Florida Department of Health's dedicated has established a coronavirus hotline. The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 866-779-6121. Information is also available via email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

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• For information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tips for Dementia Caregivers visit the Alzheimer's Association website at: https://alz.org/help-support/caregiving/coronavirus-(covid-19)-tips-for-dementia-care.
• For information on caring for older adults during the Coronavirus crisis, please watch a YouTube tutorial provided by the CDC: What Older Adults Need to Know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjcoN9Aek24.

Updated 07/06/2020




Broward County - Public Dashboard Tracks Local COVID-19 Business Complaints 
- Residents can see if businesses are following emergency guidelines - 
  
Broward County has launched a new public-facing dashboard of COVID-19 complaints about businesses not following emergency guidelines. This will help residents ensure they are doing everything they can to contribute to a safer, healthier community and stop the spread of the coronavirus. More…

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Paycheck Protection Program – More Funding Available!
The Small Business Administration resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020. https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

Find Eligible Lenders - Use this tool to find nearby lenders eligible to issue a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.
Lenders and Resources - View List
Small Business Online Vendors*
• PayPal 
• Intuit's Quick Books
• Square
• Funding Circle
• OnDeck Capital
• BlueVine
• Lendio

Funding Opportunities

Broward Arts Relief Fund for Broward-based non-profit cultural organizations
Broward College Non-Profit Sponsorships for 2020-2021 fiscal year
Restaurant Employee Relief Fund for restaurant industry employees
Shea Moisure $1 Million Relief Fund for women of color entrepreneurs affected by coronavirus
SOBEWFF Relief Fund for independently owned restaurants and bars
YELP Grant for independent restaurant and nightlife business owners

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April 21st, the Senate approved the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, a $482 billion “interim” bipartisan stimulus package providing additional relief funds primarily targeted to small businesses and hospitals. 
Congressional leadership and the White House unveiled the final negotiated package yesterday and as outlined in Monday’s report the agreement includes $310 billion in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which had already exhausted the $349 billion provided through the CARES Act. Of the $310 billion provided for the PPP, $60 billion is set aside for small lenders and lenders serving underserved communities. The final agreement also includes the following allocations, and we have attached the final bill text for your reference: 

• $75 billion for hospitals and healthcare facilities to treat coronavirus patients; 
• $50 billion for the Disaster Loans Program; 
• $25 billion for more coronavirus testing; and
• $10 billion for Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).  
• The final bill is available here. 

Visit US Conference of Mayors Small Business Assistance During COVID-19 or call 855-876-5561

• Filing and Payment Deadline Extended
• Employee Retention Credit Available for Many Businesses Financially Impacted by COVID-19
• Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Tax Credits for Small- and Mid-Size Businesses
• Online resources for small business and self-employed taxpayers:

BROWARD COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Visit Broward.org/Coronavirus and select BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Broward County is partnering with CareerSource to address the immediate economic needs of both individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19. CareerSource locations across the state will provide paper Reemployment (Unemployment) Assistance applications and assist residents in completing and submitting them.

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• Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards (either the industry based sized standard or the alternative size standard)
• Any business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the greater of:
• 500 employees, or
• That meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500
• Any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location
• Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed persons

REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR EMPLOYEES

If your employees have been impacted by the spread of COVID-19, the state of Florida offers Reemployment Assistance through CONNECT, Florida’s online Reemployment Assistance System at floridajobs.org.

STATE OF FLORIDA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

• Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program - $50,000 max per business. Application available March 17, 2020 through May 8, 2020: floridadisasterloan.org.
• Business Damage Assessment Survey floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) ASSISTANCE
To apply for federal disaster assistance, visit the SBA Disaster website sba.gov/disaster. Contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:  

• SBDC Florida Small Business Preparedness, Recovery, Resources for Coronavirus
• EDO Disaster Plan Templates and Customization Guide. If you need assistance with this document, jblackman@fedconline.org.
• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL program) 
• The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has continued business-related updates: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

BROWARD EXECUTIVE ORDER

• Broward County issued Emergency Order 20-01 closing all non-essential retail and commercial business locations in incorporated and unincorporated Broward County. The closure is to take effect on 12:01AM on Monday, March 23.

Closing of All Non-Essential Businesses:
On Sunday, March 22nd, Broward County issued Emergency Order 20-01 which ordered the closing of all non-essential retail and commercial business locations. Essential businesses include healthcare providers and public health operations, grocery stores, media services, gas stations, banks, hardware, pawn shops, contractors, tradesmen, landscape and pool services, delivery services, online educational institutions, laundromats, and restaurant pick-up/drive-through, transportation services, assisted living and childcare facilities, logistic providers, telecommunications providers, marinas, waste management services, hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments, veterinarians and pet boarding facilities, firearm and ammunition supply stores, moving and storage, businesses that supply office products, ship or deliver goods, engaged in home based care of others, or provide professional services, and any business that employs five (5) or fewer persons where employees do not come in regular contact with the general public during the regular course of business.

For more details on Executive Order 20-01 and to view the list of essential businesses, please visit Broward.org/Coronavirus/Pages/EssentialBusinesses.