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Palm Beach County Operations Coronavirus Update - Sunday, April 5, 2020

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Palm Beach County Operations Coronavirus Update - Sunday, April 5, 2020

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*New* VIDEO UPDATE: PBC OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE SOUTH COUNTY TESTING SITE 
Palm Beach County Leaders discuss the second COVID-19 testing site at South County Civic Center during a press conference Sunday afternoon. 

LATEST OPERATIONAL UPDATES FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY

PBC ORDERS, ACTIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

*New*South Palm Beach County COVID-19 Testing Site Opening at South County Civic Center
A Palm Beach County COVID-19 drive thru testing site in collaboration with the Board of County Commissioners, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Florida National Guard, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will open Tuesday April 7th at 8:00 am. The testing site is located at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, 33446.

Telephone registration and appointment scheduling will begin on Monday, April 6th at 10:00 am. Beginning Tuesday, April 7th, the phone line will be open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, seven days a week. Preapproval and appointments are required. Individuals requesting testing will be approved through telephone screening. Appointments can be made at 561-804-0250.

*New* Board of County Commissioners Offer Additional Options for Public Comment

April 7, 2020 Agenda
In response to COVID-19, the Board of County Commissioners is offering additional ways to submit public comments for Tuesday's meeting. In addition to in-person public comment, members of the public are also able to submit their comments via an online form here: Submit Public Comment.

All comments must be submitted prior to the agenda item starting. Please refer to the latest agenda for the item number you'd like to comment on and include that in the form when submitting.  

For anyone in need of ADA accommodations to attend the meeting or to submit public comments, please send an e-mail to pbcaccessibility@pbcgov.org or contact the Public Information Unit at 561-712-6358.

FAQs for Executive Order 20-91 and Essential Services and Activities during COVID-19

Click on the link below to see frequently asked questions about Executive Order 20-91

Governor's Frequently Asked Questions

EO 20-94: Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief

The Governor suspended mortgage foreclosures and evictions solely as it relates to non-payment for rent by residential tenants due to COVID -19 emergency under Florida law for 45 days from the date of this Executive Order.

EO 20-93: Reemployment Assistance Program

With thousands of Floridians seeking help from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Reemployment Assistance Program leading to significantly greater demand upon DEO's personnel, infrastructure, technology, and resources the Governor has directed that personnel redirect their current responsibilities and be deployed to work with the federal government and other state agencies to pursue all measures necessary to help Florida citizens during these trying times.

EO 20-92: Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency
This order supersedes any conflicting actions or orders enacted by Local Officials.

EO 20-91: Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency  
The Governor has issued a statewide stay-at-home order, requiring everyone to limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities. This order went into effect on April 3rd at 12:01 am and will remain in effect for the next 30 days. 

EO 20-90: Broward and Palm Beach County Closures
Extends Executive Order# 20-70 to keep all beaches in Palm Beach County and Broward County closed through the end of the State of Emergency.

PARTNERING AGENCIES

The Small Business Agency is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts during these unprecedented times. The positions include:

  • Call Center Customer Service Representative
  • Document Preparation/Legal Review/Loan Closings
  • Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting
  • Program Support

             Apply today [lnks.gd]

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL

Pet owners should prepare now in the event that they become sick or if they must be hospitalized. This is especially important for residents who live alone.

Key Points

  • People should immediately identify a family member or friend who can care for pets if someone in the household becomes ill.
  • Have crates, food and extra supplies on hand for quick movement of pets.
  • Keep all animal vaccines up to date in the event boarding becomes necessary.
  • Ensure all medications are documented with dosages and administering directions. Including the prescription from your veterinarian is also helpful.
  • Pets should have identification: collar with ID tag and microchip (best practice is microchipping).
  • If you become sick, stay in contact with the person assigned as a pet caregiver to keep them up to date on how you are doing.
  • Have instructions written down to give to paramedics or Animal Care and Control in case you must be taken to the hospital. Be sure to include the name, address and phone number of the assigned caregiver.

SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY
SWA asks residents to refrain from tree trimming in April. While garbage, recycling and bulk waste remain on schedule, Palm Beach County residents are asked to delay major yard trimming until May.

All garbage bags should be tied securely for disposal so waste workers do not come in contact with any potentially virus-contaminated waste.

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has developed a COVID-19 website https://swa.org/632/6702/COVID-19-Updates.

 

PARTNERING AGENCIES 
The Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County is offering a limited number of child care scholarships for those serving on the front-line of the COVID-19 response. This is available for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old for up to 60 days for these critical employees. For more information, call the Family Resource Line: 561-514-3300.

LIBRARIES

  • Virtual Story Time
    The Palm Beach County Library System is hosting virtual story time on YouTube, and sharing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 am. Library Director, Doug Crane will be reading Stephanie's Ponytail Friday, April 3 at 10:30. At 2:00 pm tune in for a special "Wash Your Hands with Me" featuring Ms. Arlene.
  • Technology Assistance
    The Palm Beach County Library System is offering one-on-one chat with a librarian. They can assist with any of your technology needs, including navigating the virtual classroom. Video chat sessions are available through the Zoom app. Call 561-233-2600 to book an appointment.
  • Homework Help
    Tutor.com and Live Homework help is a free library service that offers online tutoring in math, science, social studies and language arts. Live one-on-one sessions are available every day from 12:00 pm – 12:00 am. Assistance in Spanish is available from 2:00 pm – 12:00 am.
  • Career Development
    The Library has many free online resources to help you advance your career during the "Safer at Home" order. You can learn new skills, update your resume, and utilize programs to prepare you to return to the workforce.
  • Free E-Card
    Get a free temporary e-card for any child in Palm Beach County. The card allows you to access online resources and services. Visit http://www.pbclibrary.org/virtual-library to sign up for the e-card.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

  • The Palm Beach County School District announced that Palm Beach County schools will remain closed until further notice. Distance Learning will continue. Distance Learning Information
  • Please be sure to check the full list of food distribution locations as some have changed.
  • Schools across Palm Beach County will be distributing 'Grab and Go' bags.
  • Hours for food distribution will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

PALM BEACH COUNTY BUILDING DIVISION

  • The Palm Beach County Building Division's South County Permitting Office is closed until further notice.
  • The majority of permit types that were previously submitted in the South County office are now able to be submitted via our online system ePZB Admin login, and more permit types are being added to the system frequently.
  • Visit our website for more information: Online Submittal Building Permit Notice.

PLANNING, ZONING & BUILDING
All Planning, Zoning, and Building public meetings for April are canceled. All public hearings scheduled at those meetings are postponed to dates to be determined. Once revised dates have been determined, the meetings will be rescheduled and all appropriate parties will be advised.

LOCAL CALL CENTERS
Palm Beach County Emergency Information Center remains open 7 days a week from 8 am – 6 pm. • 561-712-6400

  • Boca Raton 561-982-4900 
  • Greenacres 561-642-2000 
  • Town of Palm Beach 561-227-7070 
  • Riviera Beach 561-812-6597 
  • Wellington 561-791-4000
  • West Palm Beach 561-822-222
    or contact your municipality.

     
  • Suicide Prevention and Covid-19:  For resources to help cope during the coronavirus pandemic please follow this link: Suicide Prevention and Covid-19.

 

TRANSPORTATION

  • PALM TRAN

Starting April 13th, Go Glades Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 will no longer be serviced. You will be able to book a trip on Go Glades directly to and from your destination by calling: (561) 649-9838.

Palm Tran fixed route continues to operate on a Saturday schedule except routes 1, 2, 3, 43  
and 62 which are on a regular weekday schedule. Sundays will continue to operate on a Sunday schedule. The number of people on board has been limited to no more than 20 passengers. Check the head sign which may indicate the bus is full. In this case you'll need to wait for the next bus on the route. Call customer service at (561) 841-4BUS (4287) for the next scheduled bus arrival time.  Palm Tran Connection is essential trips only.

  • TRI-RAIL
    Trains have suspended fares and are operating on a modified schedule:
    18 trains on Weekdays, 12 trains on Saturday, 12 trains on Sunday.
  • BRIGHTLINE
    Brightline train service is suspended until further notice.

PARKS & RECREATION
All parks and golf courses, both public and private remain closed until further notice.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
All Natural Areas are closed to the public until further notice.

CIRCUIT COURT

A message from Chief Judge Krista Marx of the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit

The Court is limiting most face-to-face hearings. However, in order to protect the public's constitutional right to access and to ensure the progress of essential proceedings, the courthouses have remained open. The judges of our Circuit have ensured that the citizens of Palm Beach County can continue to have their essential court matters heard quickly. Some essential matters must be heard face-to-face. Additionally, the judges are handling thousands of cases through electronic means. For cases that must be handled face-to-face, extraordinary measures have been taken to protect the safety and wellbeing of the public, court staff and court partners.

To help ensure that no person infected with COVID-19 enters the courthouses, Sheriff Bradshaw has purchased temperature-scanning devices for installation in our busiest courthouse, the Main Courthouse in West Palm Beach. Any person who enters the courthouse will undergo a non-invasive temperature scan. Individuals will simply walk through a defined area and a device will instantly record the temperature of the person. In the remaining courthouses, members of the public and all staff may be subjected to a temperature reading. Any person who refuses to have their temperature taken or has a temperature of 100.4 º F, or higher, will not be permitted to enter the courthouses. While it is our sincere hope that no person exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 attempts to enter any of the courthouses, these precautions will give those who are required to enter the courthouses a certain level of assurance that we are focused on mitigating the risk of COVID-19 and that all of us are concerned about the safety of our citizens.

For updated information please visit http://15thcircuit.com  

RESOURCES

*New* Alcoholics Anonymous
to find an A.A. meeting near you contact the A.A. resources below for a meeting list in that location and surrounding areas. For information about online meetings/online groups: www.aainpalmbeach.org  Phone: (561) 276-4581

*New* Elder Care Human Rights Campaign Foundation - LGBTQ Elders Issue Brief 
With a lesser likelihood to have a support network, older members of the LGBTQ community must often rely on long-term care services. Whether in-home services or residential care, 60% of LGBTQ respondents are concerned about discrimination and 40% are not comfortable reaching out to their provider.


Frequently Asked Questions and Order Locations

COVID-19 Email Scams

Security experts say a spike in email scams linked to coronavirus is the worst they have seen in years. Below are five trending campaigns:

1.     Click here for a cure: The email is purported to be from a doctor claiming to have details about a vaccine being covered up by the Chinese and UK governments. 

2.     COVID-19 tax refund: This emails asks you to click on "access your funds now", which goes to a fake government webpage encouraging you to input your financial and tax information.

3.     Little measure that saves: Hackers pretending to represent the World Health Organization (WHO) claim that attached document details how recipients can prevent the disease's spread.

4.     The virus is now airborne: The subject line reads: Covid-19 – now airborne, increased community transmission. It is designed to look like it's from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

5.     Donate here to help the fight: The fake CDC email asks for donations to develop a vaccine, and requests payments are made in the cryptocurrency bitcoin.

The best way to see where a link will take you is to hover your mouse cursor over it to reveal the true web address. If it looks suspicious, don't click.

Rent Assistance

  • Residents concerned with rent assistance may contact the Palm Beach County Human Services   Eviction Prevention Program. Call 561-904-7900 or apply online at www.pbcgov.org/oscarss.
  • You can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at any lending institution that is approved to participate in the program through the existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lending program and additional lenders approved by the Department of Treasury. For more information go to: Paycheck Protection Program.

    If your employment has been impacted by COVID-19, you may file a Reemployment Assistance Claim through CONNECT, Florida's online Reemployment Assistance http://floridajobs.org/.

Who do I contact if I'm having symptoms?

  • Contact your primary doctor. If they are unable to provide you with a COVID-19 test, ask them for instruction on how to self-isolate at home.

What if I don't have a Doctor?

  • You can contact any urgent care center, or the county primary care clinics.

How long does it take to receive test results for COVID-19?

  • Testing results will be reported to the Health Care District of Palm Beach County who will notify the patient. Results can be expected within 2-3 days, however, it may take longer.
  • Individuals testing positive will be advised of isolation and quarantine protocols and referred for medical care if necessary.

For the latest information about COVID-19 in Florida, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov or call the Florida Department of Health 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-779-6121.

Follow us:

Twitter - http://twitter.com/pbcgov
Facebook - http://facebook.com/pbcgov
NextDoor - https://nextdoor.com/ 

Individuals with questions related to the coronavirus should call the Florida Department of Health's Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-779-6121 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. They can also visit http://pbchd.org for the latest health information. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coronavirus COVID-19


For the latest information and updates from Palm Beach County, visit http://pbcgov.com/coronavirus.

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