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The original item was published from 3/18/2020 6:14:00 PM to 3/18/2020 6:15:40 PM.

News Flash

City News Updates

Posted on: March 18, 2020

[ARCHIVED] Update on Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

COVID19

If you suspect you have been exposed to the coronavirus, please call the Florida Department of Health - Broward County at 954.412.7300 BEFORE traveling to any health care facility. 

Important Update on City of Hollywood COVID-19 response:

The City of Hollywood is under a level 2 (partial) activation of our Emergency Operations Center since March 14th. City leaders continue to closely monitor the situation and are working with our partners at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Florida Department of Health, Memorial Regional Hospital and other local, state and federal organizations. 

Effective at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in the City of Hollywood, the following closures are mandated through and including Thursday, April 16, 2020:

Bars and Nightclubs

All bars, pubs, nightclubs, cocktail lounges, breweries, and taverns in the City of Hollywood closed at 5:00 p.m. on March 17 and must remain closed. 

Restaurants

All restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service establishments must cease all on premise services. However, such establishments may continue to operate their kitchens for drive-thru, delivery, and curbside pick-up of food orders. 

Other Businesses

All gyms, fitness centers, fitness studios, dance studios, and gymnasiums are closed. This does not apply to gyms or fitness centers that are an amenity of a hotel or office building and which have a capacity of 10 persons or less, or are an amenity of a residential building.

All dance halls, movie theaters, banquet halls, auditoriums, bowling alleys, video arcades and other like entertainment facilities and businesses, including but not limited to those contained within a hotel or other enclosed facility or structure, are closed.

Hollywood Beach, Broadwalk, Parks and Recreational Facilities

The Hollywood Beach and Broadwalk are closed to recreational activity. Access to the barrier island will be restricted to residents, business owners, business employees, hotel guests and patrons coming to pick up carry-out food orders from barrier island restaurants. All City community centers, parks and recreational facilities are closed. Public boat ramps at Holland Park will remain open, but the rest of the park will be closed down.

Additional Restrictions

All public gatherings of any type, whether organized or otherwise, of greater than 10 persons are prohibited. Grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, banks, credit unions, financial institutions, hardware stores, auto supply stores, hospitals, healthcare and medical facilities, pharmacies, drug stores, medical supply stores and companies, land or facilities owned or managed by Broward County, the Broward County School Board, the South Broward Hospital District, the State of Florida, and the Federal Government are exempt from this regulation.

Public Access to City Hall and City Buildings: Customer Services Provided Online and By Phone

For the health and safety of our employees and residents, effective at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, March 19, 2020 and continuing through Friday, April 3, 2020, access to City Hall and City Buildings is not available to the public, however many services are available on a modified basis via telephone and online. The following City operations continue:

Public Safety and Emergency Services
Public Works/Sanitation Services
Public Utilities/Water and Wastewater Services
Customer Service (online and by phone)
Building Department Permitting and Inspection Services
Administration, City Attorney, City Clerk, Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance, Budget
Parks Maintenance & Security

Residents can access a number of services online or by calling the appropriate City Department, Office or Agency listed below:

Mayor and City Commissioners
954.921.3321
City Attorney’s Office
954.921.3435
City Clerk
954.921.3211
City Manager’s Office
954.921.3201
Budget & Performance Management
954.921.3206
Development Services
954.921.3471
Code Compliance
954.921.3061
Design & Construction Management
954.921.3410
Emergency Management
954.921.3053
Financial Services
954.921.3234
Procurement Services
954.921.3221
Treasury
954.921.3232
General Accounting
954.921.3228
Fire Rescue and Beach Safety
954.967.4248
Fire Inspectors
954.967.4404
Fire Investigation Reports
954.967.4404
Human Resources
954.921.3216
Labor Relations
954.921.3519
Information Technology
954.921.3479
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts
954.921.3404
Police Department –Non Emergency
954.764.HELP (4357)
Office of the Chief
954.967.4300
Information Desk
954.967.4636
Communications, Marketing & Economic Development
954.921.3620
Public Utilities
954.967.4455
Reconnect Water Service (Weekdays)
954.921.3938
Report Emergency Leaks
954.967.4357
Public Works
954.967.4526
Garbage/Recycling Services
954.967.4200


You can also access a complete staff directory on the City’s website.

If you have questions regarding the City’s COVID-19 emergency response, starting at 7:00 a.m. on March 19th, a special public information line will be staffed during normal business hours 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  You can reach this special public information line at 954.967.4362.

Cancellations of City Events and Programs

All City-sponsored events and other programming have been cancelled until further notice. This includes all City programming held indoors within Community Centers, including aftercare programs. All organized athletic leagues, games, races and tournaments held at City recreational facilities will be cancelled until further notice. For the latest status of City events and programming, and other programs offered throughout Broward County, please visit the City’s website event calendar.

Sun Shuttle

The Sun Shuttle micro transit system has been suspended until further notice. These measures are being put in place for the protection of the community, visitors, and employees to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the healthcare system is not overwhelmed.

All Building Permits Issued Online

The City of Hollywood is now issuing ALL Building Permits via the ePermit Online Service. Customers are encouraged to use the online system to submit, monitor, pay for building permits and schedule inspections. Hollywood customers can also apply and receive approvals for associated Broward County permits using the County’s ePermitOneStop online service.

Still have questions? Want us to give you a call? The QLess Virtual Check-In System allows customers to communicate with staff from Building, Engineering and Planning and Zoning to have questions and concerns addressed quickly.  Simply “get in line” and we’ll give you a call back.

Please note: The QLess Virtual Check-In System will now be used for Informational Courtesy Hours too (Tuesday and Thursday 7:30-10:30). This includes Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Structural, Zoning, Fire, Engineering and Utilities.
 
Enter the QLess Virtual Check-In App here or text "Hollywoodservice" to 954.241.1105 to reserve your spot in line.

Log on for Hollywood ePermits
Log on for Broward County ePermitOneStop

City Commission, CRA Board, and Advisory Board/Committee Meetings Cancelled for March

The Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting, Regular City Commission Meeting and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting scheduled for this week have been cancelled. The Special Magistrate meeting scheduled for next week is also cancelled. 

Medical Update on COVID-19:

The Florida Department of Health has announced updates regarding the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Florida. Six individuals have died, and 314 cases have been diagnosed in Florida with 80 cases in Broward County. COVID-19 Dashboard 

  • What does Presumptive Positive mean? A Presumptive Positive is when a state health lab has a positive test without the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmation. 
  • What does Positive mean? A positive test is when a sample sent to the state health lab comes back positive for COVID-19.
  • What does Negative mean? A negative result is when a sample sent toe the state health lab comes back negative for COVID-19 
  • What does Pending Test Results mean? A pending test result is when a sample sent to the state health lab has not been declared positive or negative at this time.
  • What does People Under Public Health Monitoring mean? The number of people under public health monitoring includes those at risk of having been exposed to COVID-19 who are monitoring their health under the supervision of public health officials.

Declarations:

  • The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic as of March 11th. This declaration does not change federal or state policy; only refers to the global spread of a new disease.
  • The President of the United States announced a National State of Emergency on Friday, March 13th. 
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency on Monday, March 9th.    
  • Broward County Commissioners issued a State of Emergency on Tuesday, March 10th. 
  • Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy signed a local State of Emergency on Wednesday, March 11th. This declaration enables the City to activate our state emergency response plan and mutual aid agreements and authorizes the expenditure of funds, and deployment of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
  • The City of Hollywood is now under a Level 2 Partial Activation of our Emergency Operations Center

Travel Restrictions:

On Wednesday, March 11th President Donald Trump announced temporary restrictions on flights from 26 European countries to the United States. This is in edition to travel warnings for passengers returning from ANY international travel or a cruise within the past 14 days.  

Health Restrictions:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is issuing guidance directing nursing homes to issue temporary restrictions on all visitors and non-essential personal, with a few exceptions such as end of life situations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday, March 13th prohibited all visitation to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilitates and group homes for 30 days.     

To keep all patients, families and staff safe from possible exposure to COVID-19, Memorial Healthcare System is limiting visitation to only primary caregivers for individual patients, and limiting visitors to one primary caregiver for each patient. Everyone else, including siblings of any age, may not visit.

Health Resources:

The Florida Department of Health has established a coronavirus hotline. The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 866.779.6121. Information is also available via email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov

Memorial DOC NowMemorial Healthcare System is also offering Telehealth Services via their website.
Click on the icon to log into MemorialDOCNow

Current risk assessment:

  • People in communities where ongoing community spread with the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure.
  • Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
  • Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
  • Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure
  • It is likely more cases of COVID-19 will be identified in the coming days.
  • At this time, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and no medications approved to treat it. Nonpharmaceutical interventions would be the most important response strategy.

How to protect yourself:

Everyone can do their part to help respond to this emerging public health threat:

  • stay at home
  • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing or any physical contact with another individual.
  • if soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, especially immediately after contact with others or coughing or sneezing.
  • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve (not your hand), then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • avoid close contact with people who are sick, exhibiting symptoms or who may have been exposed to the virus
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a disinfecting household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • if you begin to feel sick, go home as soon as possible and stay home if you are sick
  • if you believe you have been exposed to the virus, are experiencing flu-like symptoms, have been in contact with someone infected with coronavirus or have traveled to a country where the outbreak exists, or believe you may be infected, please remain at home and do not have contact with other individuals. Immediately call the Florida Department of Health - Broward County at 954.412.7300 BEFORE traveling to any health care facility. 
  • The CDC does not recommend asymptomatic, healthy people wear a facemask. Facemasks should be used only by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease.

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS

COVID-19 GENERAL PREVENTION

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Review your emergency plan:

  • Ensure a two-week supply of water and food.
  • Check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
  • Stock up on non-prescription drugs and other health supplies, like pain relievers, fluids with electrolytes, medical equipment, etc.
  • Print copies and save electronic versions of health records.
  • Confirm points of contact with family members and friends.
  • Have extra disinfectant household cleaning agents and wipes in your emergency kit.

Online Resources:

Facebook LIVE: Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy, Hollywood Division Chief James Russo, and Dr. Randy Katz, Medical Director, Emergency Services for Memorial Regional Hospital

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers from the Florida Department of Health

Florida Department of Health website 

Florida Department of Health Status Update

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website 

Coronavirus Data Map from Johns Hopkins University

Memorial Heathcare System

Broward County website

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

Port Everglades website

Broward County Public Schools

State of Florida Office of the Governor Executive Order Number 20-52 - declared state of emergency 

State of Florida Office of the Governor Executive Order Number 20-51 - establishes coronavirus response protocol and directs public health emergency

State of Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency

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