Government » Communications

Press Releases

Font Size: + -
Print

City of West Palm Beach COVID-19 Update (October 2, 2020, noon p.m.)

Post Date:10/02/2020 2:07 PM

SUMMARY:  Palm Beach County had a 2.40% COVID-19 daily positivity rate on October 1, 2020. Phase 3 reopening for the county is underway and lifts certain COVID-19 related restrictions for many businesses and establishments. The City will resume in-person City Commission meetings and CRA meetings beginning Monday, October 4, 2020. 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.

CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH OPERATIONS, REOPENINGS:

  • NEW- PUBLIC MEETINGS:City of West Palm Beach to Resume In-Person City Commission & CRA Meetings Beginning 10/5/20 -- The City of West Palm Beach will resume in-person City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings beginning Monday, October 5, 2020. In keeping with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines as well as Palm Beach County’s directive on facial coverings, facial coverings will be required for entry into City Hall and Commission Chambers. Social distancing protocols are to be followed. Temperature checks are conducted upon entry to City Hall.While the public may be present to provide comment during in-person City Commission and CRA meetings, the public will still have the option of providing their comments electronically. To submit a typewritten public comment electronically, please visit the City’s public comment portal on the City’s website. Please visit: https://www.wpb.org/i-want-to/public-comment. City Commission meetings, CRA meetings and other select City public meetings are broadcast on WPB-TV, which may be viewed on Comcast’s Channel 18, on the City's website, or on social media channels (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter).
  • NEW- Declaration of Local Emergency Extended to October 6, 2020: The 28th extension of the Public Health Emergency concerning COVID-19 was signed on September 29, 2020 by Mayor Keith James. Read the order: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2576
  • Mandel Public Library: The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach is open to business with limited in-person services. To help plan your visit, please note adjustments have been made to help improve the safety and experience of our valued library patrons during COVID-19.For information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/809/16?npage=3.
  • 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.

RECENT ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY OUR PARTNERS AT STATE, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES:

  • NEW- PBC Issues Order for Phase 3 Reopenings -Executive Order 20-28 follows the guidance in Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-244 that moved all Florida counties into Phase 3. All businesses are allowed to operate with little or no restrictions due to COVID-19 mitigation. The Order:
    • Removes state-level restrictions on businesses, such as restaurants.
    • Provides that no COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or operating a business, giving Floridians and business owners needed certainty and the ability to provide for themselves and their families.
    • Provides that restaurants may not be limited by a COVID-19 emergency order by any local government to less than 50% of their indoor capacity
    • Suspends all outstanding fines and penalties, and the collection of such moving forward, applied against individuals related to COVID-19. 
  • NEW- PBC Eliminates Certain Restrictions on Restaurants -- Additionally, Palm Beach County issued EMERGENCY ORDER 27 which eliminates restrictions on restaurant hours and removes restrictions on the hours restaurants can operate, which were previously mandated in Emergency Order 2020-018, which was amended by Emergency Order 2020-023. Subsequently, Palm Beach County Emergency Orders 20-018 and 2020-023 have been repealed.
  • Facial Coverings Mandate - A directive on facial coverings/masks remains in effect for our community. Palm Beach County’s  Emergency Order 2020-012 was extended by Emergency Order 2020-026 requiring face coverings in Palm Beach County. Per Palm Beach County, the order directs the following:
  • 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 purposes of conducting public business, visitation, contracting, maintenance, delivery, or any other activity requiring a presence in a governmental building shall wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC at all times while present in the building.
  • Businesses and establishments must still ensure compliance with the order’s provisions and shall establish a process for verification of compliance upon customer entry into the establishment. Specific signage must be displayed in the business and must be posted conspicuously for easy visibility at all entry points. Click here for Retail Sign. Restaurant Sign.

 

ASSISTANCE:

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

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
Return to full list >>