SUMMARY: Covid-19 cases are spiking in Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County had a 11.9% positive rate on July 16, 2020. For your health and safety and that of others, please follow CDC guidance and local emergency orders pertaining to facial coverings and social distancing. A State of Emergency remains in effect for West Palm Beach due to for COVID-19.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 DATA (data from 7/17/20, unless otherwise noted):

Total Florida Cases: 327,241

Positive Residents: 323,002

Hospitalizations:20,191

Florida Resident Deaths: 4,805

Non-resident Deaths: 107

New cases of Florida residents on July 16, 2020: 11,345

To see the latest statistics, visit the Florida Department of Health’s data page: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/#latest-stats

TESTING

• Interactive Testing Map: An interactive testing map, created by Palm Beach County, features over 70 testing sites. The map will help residents find the closest private or community-based testing location for them. Several of the sites are government supported and have free testing with a variety of restrictions and processes. Many others are private labs, urgent care facilities or pharmacies that will bill your insurance. Visit:http://pbcgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7e512bab938b45a4b63275de6536302e
• NEW COVID-19 Testing Location in West Palm Beach: The Florida Department of Emergency Management is now offering FREE COVID-19 testing at 751 Executive Drive, West Palm Beach, in the BrandsMart parking lot, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The tests are for ages 18 and older only. Please wear a mask to the testing site.

PBC RESTRICTION ON OPERATING HOURS OF RESTAURANTS, FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES

On Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Palm Beach County issued Order No. 2020-014 which restricts hours for alcohol and food service and, also, restricts operating hours for certain businesses and venues. The order applies to incorporated and unincorporated Palm Beach County. 

In restricting hours for alcohol and food service, the Palm Beach County order states, in part: “No establishment permitted to serve alcohol for on-site consumption, whether indoor or outdoor, shall serve alcohol between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. No establishment permitted to serve food for on-site consumption, whether indoor or outdoor, shall serve food between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.” The order does not prohibit the delivery, drive-through, pick-up, or take-out services, for off-site consumption.

In addition to restricting hours for alcohol and food service, the Palm Beach County order restricts operating hours for certain businesses and venues, as follows: “The following businesses and venues, to the extent they have been authorized to legally operate, shall be closed between the hours of 11:00 p.m. an 5:00 a.m.: amusement parks; hookah and smoking bars and lounges; kava, kratom and similar bars and lounges; banquet halls; and ballrooms.”

To read the order in its entirety, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2330.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS START DATE TO BE FINALIZED DURING JULY 22 MEETING

The School Board decided to delay determining the official start dates for students and staff until they meet on July 22.  The latest from the PBC School District can be read here:  https://www.palmbeachschools.org/students_parents/reopening_schools

FPL Bill Payment Assistance: Having trouble paying your FPL bill because of COVID-19? You may qualify for local, state and/or federal financial assistance, which has increased significantly due to the pandemic. And, we’re here to help. All it takes is a phone call. We will continue working closely with you to do everything we can to avoid turning lights off for nonpayment, which is and has always been a last resort. Call us directly at 800-226-3545.

AS SEEN IN PREVIOUS COVID-19 UPDATES

PBC ORDER 2020-12 MANDATORY FACIAL COVERINGS

Palm Beach County has issued Emergency Order 2020-012 requiring masks or face coverings in Palm Beach County. The order states that it is applicable in all incorporated and unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County.

Per the Palm Beach County order, facial coverings must be worn by all persons, other than those specifically exempted, while obtaining any good or service or otherwise visiting or working in any business or establishment, including entering, exiting, and otherwise moving around within the establishment. Facial coverings must be worn by all persons in public places where social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines is not possible or not being practiced.

All persons accessing governmental buildings for the purposes of conducting public business, visitation, contracting, maintenance, delivery, or any other activity requiring a presence in a governmental building shall always wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC while present in the building.

A facial covering includes any covering which snugly covers the nose and mouth, whether store bought or homemade, mask or clothing covering including but not limited to, a scarf, bandana, handkerchief, or other similar cloth covering and which is secured in place. More specific guidance is contained in the order.

All businesses and establishments shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this order and shall establish a process for verification of compliance upon customer entry into the establishment. Specific signage must be displayed in the business and is attached to the order and available online. Signage must be posted conspicuously for easy visibility at all entry points. There will be a grace period to display signage.

Violations can be reported by calling (561)-24COVID or emailing covidcompliance@pbcgov.org. Violations are subject to fines and/or other remedies.

To view the executive order, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/home/showdocument?id=2274.

CITY REOPENINGS

• GRASSY WATERS PRESERVE TRAIL SYSTEM: The Hog Hammock Trail, Eagle Trail, and Owahee Trail systems are open.  The Apoxee Trail, under renovation, and Cypress Boardwalk Trail remain closed. The visitors center remains closed.

• PUBLIC PARKS: All public parks within the City are open for outdoor recreation purposes, but CDC social distancing guidelines must be followed, per Palm Beach County Order No. 7. Walking trails and open spaces are currently available while playgrounds, fitness equipment, parking lots, picnic pavilions, restrooms and other common areas remain closed.

• TENNIS & RAQUETBALL COURTS: The City’s tennis and racquetball courts are open for public use. Usage must comply with restrictions outlined in PBC Order No. 2020-11.
• PHIPPS SKATE PARK: Open to the public with COVID-19 restrictions in place. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (561) 835-7170.
• LIBRARY: On Monday, June 29, 2020, the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach began to provide contactless walk-up pickup service. The new service allows patrons to pick up physical library materials Mondays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice. For information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/548/16
• TROLLEY: City trolley service is suspended until further notice.
• QUESTIONS: Questions for the City can be emailed to 822@wpb.org. The Mayor’s Special Response Hotline is (561) 822-2222.
• FLORIDA DEPT. OF HEALTH COVID-19 HOTLINE: (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov with questions.
• PUBLIC MEETINGS: To promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of West Palm Beach has turned to Zoom technology to host public meetings since April. While public meetings have gone remote, the public’s participation is still needed, welcomed and encouraged. For information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/536/16.
• TRAVEL: Please be advised that New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have issued a travel advisory that requires people arriving from states with high coronavirus rates, including Florida, to quarantine for 14 days.

COVID-19 SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH & PARTNER AGENCIES

• FPL Bill Payment Assistance: Having trouble paying your FPL bill because of COVID-19? You may qualify for local, state and/or federal financial assistance, which has increased significantly due to the pandemic. And, we’re here to help. All it takes is a phone call. We will continue working closely with you to do everything we can to avoid turning lights off for nonpayment, which is and has always been a last resort. Call us directly at 800-226-3545.
• PBC Summer Food Service Program: To check dates of service for all SFSP meal distribution sites, click here.  Meals and snacks are available to eligible children age 18 and under and persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled. Youth Services administers and monitors this program, funded by USDA and the Department of Education. Sites are located throughout Palm Beach County in low-income neighborhoods. Parents picking up kits without their child present must bring identification for the child. Meal kits will not be provided to parents who do not bring their child or do not provide proper identification. Proper safety measures must be practiced. Sites will continue to distribute seven days’ worth of meals to each eligible child once a week through Friday, August 7. For locations and times of service, visit summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com.
• The CARES Mortgage Assistance Program offered by Palm Beach County’s Department of Housing and Economic Sustainability is open for West Palm Beach homeowners who have been negatively affected by COVID-19. For information: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/532/16
• CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Rent and Utilities Assistance Program: West Palm Beach residents are encouraged to apply for Palm Beach County’s ‘CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Rent and Utilities Assistance Program’. The program provides one-time assistance for past due rental and/or utility balances to residents. The City of West Palm Beach’s Housing and Community Development Department is offering appointments for help completing the application to ONLY West Palm Beach residents. To schedule an appointment, interested parties shall contact (561) 822-1274 (TTY: 800-955-8771).
• Food Stamps & Reemployment Applications: For West Palm Beach residents only, the City’s Housing & Community Development Department is providing help with completing applications for food stamps and reemployment assistance. Please dial (561) 822-1274 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

To view city, county and state executive orders, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/covid-19-updates-and-information/executive-orders.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 AND CITY-RELATED NEWS/INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/covid-19-start-page