City of West Palm Beach COVID-19 Update (September 11, 2020, 11am)
SUMMARY: The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach will reopen on September 14, 2020 with limited in-person service. The City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation has reopened splash pads, fitness equipment, playgrounds and basketball courts. On September 8, 2020, Palm Beach County began implementing parts of Phase 2 recovery by allowing more types of businesses to partially or fully open. Palm Beach County had a 3.75% COVID-19 daily positivity rate on September 9, 2020. Please continue to follow CDC guidelines by wearing facial coverings/masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands. A Palm Beach County order mandating facial masks in public places remains in effect.
ASSISTANCE:
- CARES Act Food Assistance Available: West Palm Beach residents may apply for CARES Act Food Assistance offered by Palm Beach County to eligible residents of Palm Beach County under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. For information, please visit: https://www.rentalassistancepbc.org/.
- PBC Emergency Repair Program, established by Coronavirus Relief Fund: This program helps eligible homeowners who have been directly impacted by COVID-19 and are in need of financial assistance with home repairs. For information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/764/16.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 STATISTICAL DATA can be viewed here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/bcfddbc51de6493e819db001274317e8/
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
- Questions: Questions for the City can be emailed to 822@WPB.ORG. The Mayor’s Special Response Hotline is (561) 822-2222.
- Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: (866) 779-6121 or email covid-19@flhealth.gov with questions.
- COVID-19 Compliance Task Force: This task force will receive and follow up on reports of non-compliance related to CDC and State guidelines for operating businesses. To report potential violations, call (561-24COVID or send an email to CovidCompliance@pbcgov.org.
- Testing offered by the Health Care District: (561) 423-1000.
TESTING & HEALTH
- 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
CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH OPERATIONS, REOPENINGS:
- NEW- MANDEL LIBRARY REOPENS: The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach will reopen on Monday, September 14, 2020. The library will offer limited in-person visits. Patrons will be able to browse the library for one hour while observing social distancing guidelines. Learn more here: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/808/16/ . The library has a wide variety of digital offerings for library cardholders, including e-books and audiobooks, streaming TV and movies, music downloads, databases and more. For more information, please call (561) 868-7701 (TTY 800-955-8771 or visit Digital Library for more information on how to Connect 24/7 to the library. For more information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/515/16
- NEW- CITY PARKS: The City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation has reopened splash pads, fitness equipment, playgrounds and basketball courts aligning with Palm Beach county Emergency Order No. 20-21.Pavilions, sports fields and recreation centers remain closed. Basketball courts, tennis courts and racquetball courts will close at sundown. Use of these installations will be at your own risk.
- TROLLEY SERVICE: City of West Palm Beach trolley service has been suspended until further notice.
- 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.
RECENT ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY OUR PARTNERS AT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES:
- NEW- Palm Beach County was approved to move into Incremental Phase 2 by Governor Ron DeSantis. Executive Order 20-214, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on September 4, 2020, allows Palm Beach County to enter into an Incremental Phase 2 plan of the Governor’s “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” plan for Florida’s recovery. Businesses like bowling alleys, movie theaters, skating centers will be allowed to operate at reduced capacity and with social distancing provisions in place. Museums and libraries may operate at full capacity as long as visitors stay 6 feet apart. Read the order: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2463
- NEW- Declaration of Local Emergency Extended to September 15, 2020: The 25th extension of the Public Health Emergency concerning COVID-19 was signed on September 8th by Mayor Keith James. Read the order: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2502
- Mortgage foreclosure and eviction relief orders extended: Palm Beach County Executive Order 20-211 provides a limited, one-month extension until 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2020 to Executive Order 20-180, which made significant changes to prior versions of the mortgage foreclosure and eviction relief orders. https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2453
EXECUTIVE ORDERS
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 FROM THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH, PLEASE VISIT: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/covid-19-start-page
OTHER:
- 2020 Census: All West Palm Beach residents are encouraged to respond to the Census. The Census gathers data that tells the story of our community and who we are. Data is used for many things including redistricting of state and federal legislative seats and the funding of local programs such as school meals, infrastructure improvements, and public health programs. You can respond to the Census now by visiting the Census website or calling 844-330-2020.
- Hurricane Season: The Atlantic Hurricane Season is underway through November 30, 2020. The City of West Palm Beach has information to help you safely prepare, evacuate, and shelter for severe storms while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19. Read more about it here: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/storm-preparedness/covid-19-and-storm-season-copy
