COVID-19 Testing Site at Mills Pond Park
The Florida Department of Health is operating a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Fort Lauderdale’s Mills Pond Park, located at 2201 NW 9 Avenue. The site offers free drive-thru testing Monday – Wednesday and Friday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The testing site is closed on Thursdays and Sundays. Testing is available to anyone with or without COVID-19 symptoms. There are no age requirements and no doctor referral is needed. Appointments are not required. Patients will receive test results via text messaging. For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Broward County at 954-412-7300 or visit bit.ly/ftlcovid19testing.
COVID-19 Testing at Holiday Park
Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Park offers free drive-thru rapid COVID-19 antigen testing with same day results, as well as free drive-thru oral self-swab testing. Located at U.S. 1 and N.E. 8 Street (just south of Sunrise Boulevard), rapid COVID-19 testing is offered Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. to individuals of any age with COVID-19 symptoms or individuals ages 5 to 17 or 65 and over without COVID-19 symptoms. Appointments and photo ID are required. To schedule an appointment, visit www.tourhealth.com. Most results are delivered via text or email within a two-hour timeframe. Free drive-thru COVID-19 oral self-swab testing is available, Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., to anyone age 5 or older with or without COVID-19 symptoms. No doctor referral needed. Proper photo ID is required. To schedule an appointment, visit florida.curativeinc.com/welcome. Patients who do not receive test results after 72 hours, may contact Curative, Inc. via email atsupport@curativeinc.com. Since its opening, more than 48,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted at the Holiday Park site. For details, visit bit.ly/ftlcovid19testing.
COVID-19 Plasma Donors Needed
According to the Broward County Medical Reserve Corps (BCMRC), there is a critical shortage of plasma in our community. If you tested positive for COVID-19, a small amount of your blood could save the life of someone suffering from the coronavirus right now. Donating plasma is safe and easy. Individuals interested in donating may visitbit.ly/2E1q1fT to register. Thank you for being a hero!
City to Resume Exterior Code Enforcement on September 8
In response to COVID-19, the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Community Enhancement and Compliance Division modified its enforcement program to exclusively address life safety violations and violations of the City and County’s emergency declarations related to COVID-19. During that time, the Division suspended all daily fines for special magistrate cases and stopped interior property inspections. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, the Community Enhancement and Compliance Division will be restarting code enforcement for all exterior property maintenance violations. To view a list and descriptions of the 10 most common code violations, visit https://bit.ly/3h2bI8W. To report a code violation, contact the Community Enhancement and Compliance Division by calling 954-828-5207 or emailing cenhancement@fortlauderdale.gov.
Weekly Food Distribution at Mills Pond Park on September 10
The next drive-thru food distribution event hosted by the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, and Wilton Manors will take place on Thursday, September 10 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.
Two Tropical Storms Form in the Atlantic
Neighbors are reminded to stay alert and remain vigilant as the hurricane season continues. Two tropical storms, Paulette and Rene, have formed in the Atlantic. Neighbors are reminded to keep an eye on these weather systems. We are now in the most active period of hurricane season, and it is important to have emergency plans in place and supplies ready as weather forecasts can change quickly. Please continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Storms Paulette and Rene. For the latest 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.
Suspension of Work Search Requirements for Unemployment Benefits Extended to Dec. 5
Governor Ron DeSantis in cooperation with the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has extended the suspension of work search requirements for individuals to qualify for unemployment benefits. The work search requirements are being extended for an additional 90 days until December 5, 2020. Under normal circumstances, individual applying for unemployment would typically be required to report a minimum of five new job searches per week to continue to receive benefits. For details, visit www.floridajobs.org.
CDC Issues National Moratorium on Evictions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a temporary national moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Citing the historic threat to public health posed by coronavirus, the CDC declared that an eviction moratorium would help ensure people are able to practice social distancing and comply with stay-at-home orders. The moratorium began on September 4 and remains in effect until December 31. For an overview of the moratorium, visithttps://bit.ly/2ZaaBxJ. To find out if you qualify to be covered under the order, visithttps://bit.ly/3jN7aVx. To view the complete order issued by the CDC, visithttps://bit.ly/3gYxJ8E.
Second Budget Hearing on September 14
The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Second Virtual Budget Hearing will take place on Monday, September 14 at 5:01 p.m. The public can listen to and view the meeting on FLTV,YouTube, Zoom, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. The agenda will be posted in the days leading up to the meeting at bit.ly/ftlccagendas. To learn more about virtual City Commission meetings, including how to view agendas and sign up to speak, visit fortlauderdale.gov/vcmeetings.
Next Virtual City Commission Meetings on September 15
The next virtual City Commission Meetings are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 15. The public will be able to listen to and view the virtual meetings on FLTV,YouTube, Zoom, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. The agendas will be posted in the days leading up to the meetings at bit.ly/ftlccagendas. To learn more about virtual City Commission meetings, including how to sign up to speak, visitfortlauderdale.gov/vcmeetings.
Census Ends September 30! Take Action Now!
Attention Neighbors! The U.S. Census Bureau is ending all counting efforts for the 2020 census on September 30, a month earlier than previously announced. That means we all need to work together to take action today! Please help the City of Fort Lauderdale be accurately counted in the 2020 Census. Currently, Fort Lauderdale’s response rate is 54.4%, which is more than 10 percentage points behind the current national response rate of 65.3%, and more than 7 percentage points under the current state of Florida response rate of 61.9%. Counting every neighbor in our City gives us an opportunity to receive our fair share of more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding for infrastructure, schools, housing, roads, healthcare, and public service programs. An accurate census count also provides critical funding for hospitals, disaster recovery, and emergency readiness for pandemics like COVID-19. Please respond to the 2020 Census today! Fill out and mail back the questionnaire sent to your home; complete the census form onlinewww.my2020census.gov; or take the census over the phone by calling 1-844-330-2020.
September is Broward Attractions and Museums Month
Broward Attractions and Museums Month (#BAMM) runs through September 30. Visitors just need to mention “BAMM” or inquire about the offer, to purchase one regular price admission and get a second admission of equal or lesser value for free at these 12 participating museums and attractions: Art and Culture Center/Hollywood; Bonnet House Museums & Gardens; Butterfly World; Flamingo Gardens; History Fort Lauderdale; International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum; Jungle Queen Riverboats (Noon and 2:30 p.m. 90-minute cruises only); NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale; Old Davie School Historical Museum; Sawgrass Recreation Park; Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts; Xtreme Action Park (XD Dark Ride Theater only). In addition, Stonewall National Museum & Archives and the World AIDS Museum are offering free admission. Participating organizations may have additional restrictions or blackout dates that apply, as well as additional discounted offers available. Visitors should check each attraction’s website or call for details and hours of operation before visiting. For details, visit the BAMM page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BAMMSFL.
FLIFF’s Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale Now Open
The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) has reopened Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale, located at 503 S.E. 6 Street. The films Tesla and Out Stealing Horses are currently playing. Opening on Friday, September 11 will be JIMMY CARTER: Rock & Roll President and The Secrets We Keep. For showtimes and ticket information, visitwww.fliff.com. Savor Cinema is adhering to strict operating guidelines to protect public health and safety that include, but are not limited to, restricting attendance to 30% of capacity, blocking off seats and rows to maintain social distancing, and requiring mandatory facial coverings. Infrared thermometers will take the temperature of each audience member and staffer before entering the building, touchless hand sanitizing stations have been installed in both lobbies, plexi-shields have been erected at both the concession and box office areas, and electrostatic sprayers will be used for frequent sanitizing of all areas. For more details, visit www.fliff.com.
Broward County to Spray for Mosquitos Through September 14
The Broward County Mosquito Control Section will conduct truck spraying to reduce the mosquito larvae population. The mosquito being targeted is Aedes aegypti, a known disease carrying mosquito. Preventative truck mosquito spraying will take place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., weather permitting, now through September 14 in areas of Broward County and the City of Fort Lauderdale. To see a map of the area that will be sprayed, visithttps://bit.ly/2Z02Muu. The larvicide being used is VectoBac WDG. It is not harmful to humans, pets, bees, aquatic habitats or environmentally sensitive areas. The active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti, strain AM6552), a naturally occurring, biodegradable bacterial mosquito larvicide. It is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and is registered for use by the US Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, VectoBac WDG has been reviewed by the World Health Organization and is listed as a recommended formulation for control of mosquito larvae. For more details, visithttps://bit.ly/3luZAAM.
Prepare for King Tides
Unusually high tides, called “King Tides” will occur now through December. Anticipated dates for King Tides are as follows: September 16 - 22; October 14 - 21; November 13 - 18; and December 13 – 15. These tides have historically caused flooding in low lying areas of our community. The City uses stormwater fees to invest in long-term strategies to adapt to King Tides. We also take proactive action to prepare for the high tides and we encourage our neighbors to do the same. Please review flood safety tips, evaluate your property’s readiness, and review your flood insurance policy. Avoid driving on flooded streets. Be aware of the timing of the high tides and how they may affect your travel plans. Note that tides may intensify mid-month during a new moon. If you experience flooding on your street, make sure storm drains are not blocked and remove waste carts as soon as possible once emptied, or wait until your next scheduled collection day to put them out. For more information about steps the City is taking to prepare for King Tides and tips on what neighbors can do to be ready, visit http://bit.ly/2Ulrd27.
For Additional Information
For additional information regarding Coronavirus, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended protective measures, please visit:
Ways to Stay in Touch
The City of Fort Lauderdale offers numerous ways for neighbors to receive important information and updates:
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