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HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 040-2020 - Update on Bal Harbour Village Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)TO: FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manage DATE: March 6, 2020 SUBJECT: BAL HARBOUR - VILLAGE - OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL NO. 040-2020 Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council i Update on Bal Harbour Village Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) This Letter to the Council is intended to update you on the Village's actions related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) over the last week. On March 5, Mayor Groisman and members of Village staff attended a Coronavirus update coordination meeting with Miami -Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, along with Mayors and City Managers from municipalities throughout Miami -Dade County, as well as representatives from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Mayor Gimenez and FDOH officials provided an update on the COVID-19, and the need for each municipality to implement safety and preventive measures in public access areas and employee work places. At the conclusion of the meeting, FDOH officials met with Mayor Groisman and Village staff regarding the recent media reports of a traveler who was diagnosed with COVID- 19 and reportedly visited Bal Harbour Village at some point in February 2020. A conference call was arranged with the FDOH Director for the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection Dr. Carina Blackmore in Tallahassee who provided more details regarding the exposure, and the likelihood the traveler was not a risk during his visit to Bal Harbour. On March 6, 2020, the FDOH sent Mayor Groisman the following statement: "New York State Governor Cuomo announced on March 3, 2020 that a resident from New York with recent travel history to Miami had acquired COVID-19 virus. On March 5, 2020 the Governor announced that New York State has confirmed eight new cases connected to this resident. New York state health officials are continuing the investigation of contacts to this case. The incubation period for COVID-19 is short and ranges from 2-14 days. On average people get sick within 5 days of exposure. To date, Page 2 of 2 LTC — Update on COVID-19 — March 6, 2020 we have not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Miami and the risk of COVID-19 to Floridians remains low. However, given the nature of the virus it is important that all Florida residents take common sense precautions such as washing their hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol -based hand sanitizer and staying home while sick. For more information about COVID-19 please visit the Florida Department of Health website http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and- conditions/COVID-1 9/index. html" Furthermore, the Village has continued informing employees and residents of all precautionary activities and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health to effectively respond to the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19. The Village has sent two situation (2) updates - on Monday, March 2 and Wednesday, March 4 - via our Wireless Emergency Network (WENS), email blast, as well as posted on our website, that provide the most up-to-date information available. The Tourism Department prepared a similar statement for our international representatives to have on hand for any questions they receive from either media or travel agencies. Additionally, the team has been in touch with the Bal Harbour hotels regarding any impacts to bookings. There have been a few group cancellations, which are expected to be rebooked within 2020, and only one individual cancellation from a guest from Italy. Each property has received calls regarding their policies for changes and cancellations, and report that March activity is slightly softer. However, this trend may be attributable to Passover and Easter, which fall later in April this year. Village staff continue to take every measure, action and precaution possible to prevent the spread of this virus. We will continue to monitor and adhere to the recommendations of the CDC, State of Florida Department of Health, the Miami -Dade County, and other concerned officials and organizations. We will continue to relay any pertinent information to the Council and the community as it becomes available. If you any questions, please feel free to contact me directly. JMG/RMF//DM