South Middle River Civic Association

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has moved the state into the third and final phase of the COVID-19 reopening plan. The Governor’s Executive Order 20-244 allows all businesses, including bars, nightclubs and other establishments previously closed by local emergency orders, to reopen. It also suspends COVID-19-related fines and penalties for individuals. Broward County has issued Emergency Order 20-26 and Emergency Order 20-25 along with numerous attachments that help explain how businesses and residents should move forward during the Phase 3 reopening. To access Broward County's emergency orders and attachments, visit https://bit.ly/33eZwfW.

Department of Health Information
To see the latest data from the FDOH, visit bit.ly/2wb29D2 or bit.ly/2ZfwR9n.

Avoid the Three Cs
The City of Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Department of Health remind everyone to protect themselves and others by avoiding the Three Cs: Closed Spaces, Crowded Places, and Close-Contact Settings and by wearing a facial covering in public: 

• Closed Spaces. Avoid closed spaces with poor ventilation that could allow contagious droplets to linger in the air.
• Crowded Places. Avoid crowded places with many people nearby; the greater the number of individuals in an area, the greater the chances of COVID-19 spreading from person-to-person.
• Close-Contact Settings. Avoid close-range conversations and stay at least six-feet from others. 

In addition to avoiding the three Cs and wearing facial coverings in all public spaces, individuals should continue to practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from others; stay home when sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms; clean and disinfect countertops and frequently used surfaces often; and wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol). For additional prevention tips, visit www.floridahealthcovid19.gov/prevention.

Voter Registration Deadline Approaching
The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office reminds everyone about the following important deadlines related to the November 3 General Election: October 5 is the last day to register to vote in the General Election on November 3; October 24 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot for the General Election on November 3. Early Voting for the November 3 General Election will take place from October 19 - November 1 from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily. For a list of early voting locations, visit bit.ly/31E54zV. Voting on Election Day, November 3, will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Supervisor of Elections Office website at www.browardsoe.org.

Weekly Food Distribution at Mills Pond Park on October 8
The next drive-thru food distribution event hosted by the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, and Wilton Manors will take place on Thursday, October 8 beginning at 9 a.m. at Mills Pond Park, located at 2201 NW 9 Avenue. Produced in partnership with Feeding South Florida, the event provides healthy and nutritious food to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Food is distributed on a first come, first served basis (while supplies last). Recipients must remain in their vehicles and will be instructed to open their trunk when volunteers are ready to load it. To access Mills Pond Park, please enter from southbound NW 9 Avenue. For more details, visit bit.ly/2K8cnrn. For more information about Feeding South Florida, visit www.feedingsouthflorida.org. To make a donation to Feeding South Florida, please visit bit.ly/2WJVl8Y.

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Grab and Go Meals
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) reminds parents that grab-and-go meals are available for students at elementary, middle, and high school locations throughout the District and breakfast is also available to all BCPS students at no charge. Meals will be distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and from 3 - 5 p.m., in bundles that include multiple days-worth of meals. The afternoon hours were added to provide greater convenience for parents assisting their students with eLearning during the morning hours. For complete details about grab-and-go meals and how to apply for free or reduced-price meals, visit bit.ly/3lBlRgo.

CareerSource Broward Offers Webinars for Job Seekers
CareerSource Broward offers a variety of webinars for job seekers. The free online workshops focus on a wide range of job-readiness topics including: Job Search Methods That Work, Networking: the Power of People, Video Interview Skills, Résumé Preparation, Soft Skills: Getting and Keeping the Job, Interview Coaching and Practice Session, Telephone Interview Skills, Social Networking Online, and more. For more details and a complete schedule of offerings, visit bit.ly/2ziGHNA.

Find Local COVID-19 Statistics on Broward County Dashboard
To help residents understand the impact of the pandemic locally, Broward County is posting a daily statistical dashboard of COVID-19 indicators. The data includes statistics on number of positive cases, positivity rates, hospitalizations, hospital capacities, and deaths. To view the dashboard, visit bit.ly/2CncuPv.

Wear Facial Coverings at Polling Locations
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Broward County reminds residents who choose to vote at public polling locations, either during early voting or on November 3, to wear a facial covering. Broward County’s Emergency Orders require residents to wear a facial covering when in public. There is no exemption in the Emergency Order for Election Day. Therefore, residents are reminded that they need to wear a mask at the polling locations, or vote by mail, which does not require a mask, unless the voter is dropping off their ballot in person at a post office or early voting location. All 22 early voting locations have official ballot drop boxes that residents are able to use for their vote-by-mail ballots, without personal contact, and without having to stand in lines of people waiting to vote in person. For details, visit https://bit.ly/3cC4xUt.

Stay Vigilant During Hurricane Season
Neighbors are reminded to stay alert, remain vigilant, and continue to pay close attention to weather developments in our area as we are now in the most active part of hurricane season. Please make sure you have emergency plans in place and supplies ready as weather forecasts can change quickly. For the latest weather updates, visit the National Hurricane Center website at www.nhc.noaa.gov. For hurricane preparation tips, visit the City's website at www.fortlauderdale.gov/hurricane. To sign up to receive emergency alerts from the City, please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/alertftl.

Fit Fort Lauderdale Goes Virtual
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department continues to strive to make Fort Lauderdale the healthiest city in the nation! To get there, Parks and Recreation has expanded its Virtual Recreation Center to include Fit Fort Lauderdale classes. Fit Fort Lauderdale is now virtual with FREE live classes on Sundays from 1 - 2 p.m. Don’t miss upcoming classes that include Line Dance with Tommy and Kathy (October 4). For details and to register, visit bit.ly/ftlvirtrec.

City’s Virtual Recreation Center Expands Offerings
In addition to fitness classes, Fort Lauderdale’s Virtual Recreation Center offers a variety of free, fun, and educational activities and resources for the entire family. The Virtual Recreation Center offers instructor-led virtual classes in art, cooking, line dancing, acrylic painting, yoga, Zumba, and more!  To view the current weekly schedule, visit bit.ly/2T3Pjib. To sign up for a class, visit bit.ly/ftlvrec.

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Set for October 28 - November 1
The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), owners of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), along with show producer, Informa U.S. Boat Shows, are pleased to announce that the 61st annual FLIBS will go on with support from government officials in both Broward County and the City of Fort Lauderdale. The five-day outdoor boat show will take place from Oct. 28 – Nov. 1 with Informa Markets’ comprehensive AllSecure health and safety standards in place designed to create an exceptional visitor experience that prioritizes the safety of all attendees, exhibitors, crew members, and staff. For more details, visit www.flibs.com.

SFRPC Offering Small Business Loans Through CARES Act
The South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) has secured more than $5.3 million in funding to help struggling businesses as a result of COVID-19. The small business Revolving Loan Fund CARES Act program is available to eligible businesses including small businesses, sole-proprietors, and 501(c)(3) organizations located within Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade or Monroe Counties. Loan amounts range from $25,000 - $500,000 with fixed interest rates from 3% to 4% and financing for up to 10 years. Funding from the program may be combined with other programs including the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), or the State of Florida Bridge Loan Program. Personal guaranties and collateral are required. The Revolving Loan Fund CARES Act program is not a grant or forgivable loan. Interested businesses may apply at www.CARESActRLF.org. For more information, please contact Jeff Tart, Senior Loan Officer, at 954-924-3653 or jtart@sfrpc.com.

Facial Coverings and Signage Requirements
Under Broward County Emergency Order 20-22, establishments are prohibited from serving or transacting business with customers who are not complying with the facial covering requirements contained in Emergency Order 20-21.  In addition, owners, operators and landlords of commercial property where retail, restaurants, or food establishments are located must ensure those establishments comply with the signage requirements contained in Emergency Order 20-17, including displaying information about proper social distancing and facial covering requirements, and ensuring that the required signage is conspicuously posted in common areas of the property such as mall entrances, food courts and hallways.

Signage Requirements for All Establishments
Broward County Emergency Order 20-23, clarifies that all establishments that conduct in-person transactions with the public, other than parks and beaches, must comply with signage requirements contained in Emergency Order 20-17, including displaying information about proper social distancing and facial covering requirements, and ensuring that the required signage is conspicuously posted for easy visibility within the establishment. To read Emergency Order 20-23, visit bit.ly/310Tq1S. To read Emergency Order 20-17, visit bit.ly/3dYeP0F.

Online Dashboard Tracking COVID-19 Violations
An online dashboard is tracking Broward County complaints about businesses not following proper COVID-19 regulations related to operating capacity, social distancing, facial covering and other reopening requirements contained in local emergency orders. The GIS-based website displays details about business complaints received, including: name and location of the business being reported; number and type of warning or citation issued; and complaint outcome (i.e., warning issued, citation issued, complaint resolved, pending inspection, etc.). To access the dashboard and view updates for cities in Broward County, visit http://arcg.is/1riWfH.

 

As cities and counties prepare to begin to slowly reopen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes.” The guidelines offer specific recommendations and best practices for cleaning and disinfection of a wide range of entities, including restaurants, offices, schools, healthcare facilities, childcare programs, faith-based organizations, recreational facilities, transportation companies, and more. To view the CDC recommendations, visit bit.ly/3dEDPJR. The CDC also released "Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employees," which offers updated strategies and recommendations for employers responding to COVID-19, including those seeking to resume normal or phased business operations. For more details, visit bit.ly/2WKQFj3.

 

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in partnership with the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association, has developed a set of reopening standards for restaurants and hotels. The standards cover a wide range of areas including food safety, cleaning and sanitizing, employee health and personal hygiene, social distancing, infection prevention, environmental safety, and more. The operating standards are designed to increase safety, restore consumer confidence, and deliver a clean, comfortable, and sanitary experience to guests. To view the recommendations, visit bit.ly/2xVIvfe.

 

CDC Encourages Businesses to Flush Plumbing Systems
As businesses begin to reopen, the CDC encourages them to flush their plumbing. Because many businesses have been closed during the COVID-19 State of Emergency, water has not been used and has remained in meter-to-building pipes for several weeks. The CDC and regulatory agencies advise that stagnant or standing water may cause conditions that increase the risk for the growth and spread of Legionella and other biofilm-associated bacteria. This advisory includes hot and cold-water systems, cooling towers, hot tubs, pools, spas, water heaters as well as decorative fountains. Following the Centers’ for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines may greatly reduce chances for Legionella and other opportunistic waterborne microbes from developing within plumbing systems and devices. Businesses owners with questions regarding the CDC recommendations regarding water systems may call the Florida Department of Health at 305-324-2400. To review the CDC Guidelines for reopening buildings after a prolonged shutdown, visit the CDC website at bit.ly/2AbifhF or the EPA website at bit.ly/3chW7Q0. 

 

For a list of COVID-19 Testing site in Broward County, visit: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Pages/Collection-Sites.aspx

 

For a list of State-supported testing sites in Florida, by County, visit: https://www.floridadisaster.org/covid19/testing-sites/#dbroward