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,
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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