WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (March 18, 2020) – With our residents’ well-being and safety at the forefront, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James and the City of West Palm Beach continue to monitor the recent emergence of COVID-19. The City is following the guidance set forth by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, who are leading the efforts in our state to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The City’s Emergency Operations Center remains activated at Level 2 operations.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the public is strongly encouraged to practice social distancing. Social distancing measures are taken to restrict when and where people can gather to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. Social distancing measures include limiting large groups of people coming together, closing buildings and canceling events.
The City advises social distancing measures of no more than 10-people in an area together. Also, for any gatherings, people should have the availability to have six feet of personal space. For information on social distancing, please download the following guide.
Updates:
- WPBPD: During this time, West Palm Beach Police Department emergency dispatchers are asking callers screening-questions regarding COVID-19. It is imperative to answer these questions with complete honesty to avoid exposing first responders to potential virus symptoms or being placed on an extended quarantine. The City is currently experiencing a high volume of medical need from community members and requires all available personnel to ensure that these needs are met.
- BUILDING INSPECTIONS: Building and code inspections are ongoing. However, if you suspect that you may have COVID-19, please refrain from in-person contact with Development Services when requesting an inspection to avoid exposing City employees to potential virus symptoms. For Development Services’ resources contact information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/government/development-services.
- PUBLIC UTILITIES: To ensure that our wastewater system functions properly, Public Utilities urges residents to avoid flushing wipes, including wipes advertised as ‘flushable’.
- VICKERS HOUSE: Vickers House, the City’s social services resource center, is now seeing clients on an appointment-only basis. To make an appointment, please call: (561) 804-4970 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
- ON-STREET MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HOMELESS: Mental Health America on-street services to the City’s homeless population are suspended until further notice. In addition, the City’s homeless engagement team, provided by the Lord’s Place, will provide virtual services until further notice. To reach the Lord’s Place community outreach department, call (561) 234-6752 or email outreach@thelordsplace.org.
- GRASSY WATERS PRESERVE NATURE CENTER: The Grassy Waters Preserve Nature Center is now closed through March 31. All Nature Center programs for the remainder of March have been postponed. The Grassy Waters hiking and nature trails will remain open for use during regular scheduled hours. Info: https://www.wpb.org/government/public-utilities/grassy-waters-preserve
- PUBLIC MEETINGS: Public meetings are continuing as planned. Social distancing is strongly encouraged at public meetings.
- PARKS: Open to the public.
- LIBRARY: Open to the public during normal business hours.
- CITY HALL: Open to the public
- SPRING BREAK CAMPS: Spring Break camps previously scheduled for the week of 3/23-3/27 at City community/recreation centers have been canceled. Contact your respective community center for refund information. To contact the Department of Parks and Recreation, please call (561) 804-4900 (TTY 800-955-8771).
- RUMOR PATROL:
- There is NOT a curfew for the City of West Palm Beach.
- While the state has ordered the closure of nightclubs and bars through the end of the month, West Palm Beach businesses have NOT been shut down. Rumors of plans to close businesses citywide are untrue. Restaurants and all businesses are encouraged to follow guidance from the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Health.
- QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY?: Call the Mayor’s Response Hotline: (561) 822-2222 (TTY: 800-955-8771).
- BUSINESSES: Business owners with questions about these social distancing recommendations or information about federal aid/recovery programs for businesses may contact the City’s Economic Development Director Christopher Roog at croog@wpb.org.
Resources:
Mayor James applauds and thanks West Palm Beach businesses who have followed social distancing recommendations and have responsibly chosen to self-regulate, including (but not limited to):
- Civil Society Brewing,
- E.R. Bradley’s,
- West Palm Beach Brewery and Pankauski Law,
- Aioli,
- Florida Crystals, and
- Rybovich.
The City will continue to regularly update residents about actions taken by the City pertaining to COVID-19 through the City’s website: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/covid-19-updates-and-information. For questions, please call City Hall at (561) 822-1200 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
If you have any medical questions about COVID-19, please contact the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 Hotline (open 24/7) by phone at 1 (866) 779-6121 or by email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
For the latest information and recommendations from the Florida Department of Health, please visit: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/index.html.
For the latest information and recommendations from the CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
