SUMMARY:  Palm Beach County had a 2.92% COVID-19 daily positivity rate on September 24, 2020. Phase 2 incremental reopening for Palm Beach County is underway. The PBC CARES Restart Business Grants program has resumed. A facial covering mandate remains in effect for our community. Residents are advised to continue to follow CDC guidelines and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

ASSISTANCE:

• NEW – Palm Beach County to Restart Business Grants: The Palm Beach County CARES Restart Business Grants Program will resume on Friday, September 25, 2020. Applications will be process on a first come, first served basis. To learn more, please visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/hes/Pages/default.aspx 
• 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://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/Pages/CARES-Act-Assistance-FAQ.aspx .
• 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 covid19@flhealth.gov with questions.
• COVID-19 Compliance Task Force: This task force receives and follows 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- Declaration of Local Emergency Extended to September 29, 2020: The 27^th extension of the Public Health Emergency concerning COVID-19 was signed on September 22, 2020 by Mayor Keith James. Read the order: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2534
• NEW- Sandi Show, Holiday in Paradise scheduled for December: Sandi, the world’s only 35-foot, 700-ton holiday sand tree is scheduled to return to the Waterfront Saturday, December 5, 2020. Sandi will host nightly music and light shows through December 31, 2020 with social distancing rules in place. More information: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/863/16
• 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 STATE, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES:

• NEW- PALM BEACH COUNTY EXTENDS ORDER ON FACIAL COVERINGS – Emergency Order 2020-26 extends the requirement to wear facial coverings by all people in public places and while visiting or working at a business establishment. This includes all pubic transit in the county. See the order here: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2550
• Phase Two Incremental Reopening is now underway—For Palm Beach County’s  Phase 2 Plan, click here: https://discover.pbcgov.org/PDF/COVID19/Outline-for-Phase-2-Re-opening.pdf.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

• To view city, county and state executive orders pertaining to the public health emergency, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/covid-19-updates-and-information/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 http://www.2020Census.gov 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