Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The City of Westlake continues to monitor the situation, taking the lead of emergency management and health officials of Palm Beach County as well as the State of Florida. In an abundance of caution, Governor DeSantis has authorized a public health emergency for the State of Florida allowing the State Health Officer to take any action necessary to protect the public health of its citizens.
UPDATES
April 13, 2020
Directive to Wear Facial Coverings
While it is strongly recommended that you adhere to the Governor's Executive Order 20-91 strongly encouraging all persons to stay at home, especially senior citizens and those with a significant underlying medical condition required to stay home, Palm Beach County has taken additional steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19 within the community by issuing Emergency Order 4 directing the following:
- All persons working in, patronizing, or otherwise physically present in grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles,vehicles for hire, and locations where social distancing measures are not possible should wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC.
- All other persons physically present in any public place in Palm Beach County are strongly urged to wear facial coverings as defined by the CDC.
- A facial covering includes any covering which snugly covers the nose and mouth, whether store bought or homemade mask, or clothing covering, including but not limited to, a scarf, bandana, handkerchief or other similar cloth covering and which is secured in place. Examples of compliant homemade facial coverings may be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth... wearing facial coverings should review the CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines regarding safely applying, removing, and cleaning facial coverings.
- Persons utilizing facial coverings should not procure surgical masks or N95 rated masks, as those are critical supplies for health care workers, law enforcement, fire-rescue, emergency management, or other persons engaged in life and safety activities.
March 31, 2020
The City of Westlake strongly encourages residents to follow Palm Beach County's directive to Stay Home-Stay Safe: Safer at Home Policy.
Palm Beach County strongly urges that all persons limit their movements and stay home-stay safe to minimize the spread of COVID-19, to protect the most vulnerable among us, to protect the medical community, and to protect first responders who are displaying heroic efforts in these difficult circumstances. It is vital that all residents cooperate and restrict all travel and activities outside of their homes and residences in order to keep the community safe. The implementation of the Stay Home-Stay Safe: Safer at Home Policy is likely to save the lives of County residents, their family members and friends, and others in the community, as well as, preserving scarce resources to allow the health community time to prepare further treatment and equipment to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
March 30, 2020
NOTICE OF EMERGENCY PUBLIC MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Monday, March 30, 2020, the City of Westlake City Council will hold an EMERGENCY PUBLIC MEETING at 6:00 PM.
As a result of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and subsequent declarations for National, State and Public Health Emergencies, the City of Westlake will conduct an Emergency City Council Meeting to discuss the following items:
State of Emergency Proclamation
A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE, FLORIDA, DECLARING A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 ALSO KNOW AS CORONAVIRUS; PROVIDING THE CITY WITH POWERS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES, CHAPTER 252; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND A TERMINATION DATE.
Emergency Ordinance 2020-03
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WESTLAKE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE BY ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS AT CITY MEETINGS DURING PERIODS OF A DECLARED PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BY TELEPHONIC OR ELECTRONIC MEANS; PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC DELAY OF FINALITY OF OFFICIAL ACTION PENDING PUBLIC COMMENTS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The meeting will be held in a modified manner. The following specific information is provided as to the March 30, 2020 Emergency City Council Meeting:
The meeting will take place at the Westlake Community Center/City Council Chambers located at 4005 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Westlake, Florida, 33470. In keeping with social distancing, and limiting gatherings to no more than 10 persons, the meeting space will be closed upon meeting that capacity.
Interested persons are encouraged to listen and view the meeting by means of a communications media technology platform CiscoWebex at the following link: https://cityofwestlake.my.webex.com/ or https://cityofwestlake.my.webex.com/webappng/sites/cityofwestlake.my/mee...
MEETING ID: 790 235 676 PASSWORD: hello
Or Dial-In:
United States Toll: +1-408-418-9388 MEETING ID: 790 235 676
Additional details specific to these modified meetings may be accessed on the City Website: https://www.westlakegov.com/cityclerk/page/covid-19-public-meetings
In order to address public concerns that will be discussed at this meeting, public comments may be submitted through the online Public Comment Card available on the City Website: https://www.westlakegov.com/cityclerk/webform/public-comment-card. Comments and Questions must be submitted by 3:00 PM the day of the meeting (March 30, 2020).
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if any interested party wishes to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, such interested parties will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding are entitled to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (561) 530-5880.
Zoie Burgess, CMC, City Clerk
March 25, 2020 - 12:30 PM
CITY FACTS
Effective March 30, 2020 - The Building Department will be available for plan submittal and pickup Monday, Wednesday & Friday by appointment only between 9 AM and 4 PM. To schedule an appointment: City Hall Lobby - 561-530-5880
The March 31, 2020 General Municipal Election for the City of Westlake has been canceled due to Seat #3 Candidate, Jeffrey Keller's withdrawal.
RESOURCES
Florida Department of Health - Self Checker - https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/
White House and CDC Guidelines for America - www.coronavirus.gov
Reporting Hotline to Report Hoarding or Price Gouging - 877-720-5721
Federal Trade Commission - Coronavirus Scams - https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus
March 23, 2020 - 3:30 PM
CITY FACTS
Due to the unprecedented threat and efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 (Coronovirus), City Hall will be closed to the general public beginning Tuesday, March 24th. Essential City personnel will maintain critical services to residents and contractors by appointment only. Any necessary meetings being conducted in-person will be kept to a minimum of five (5) individuals including staff.
Additional new processes are being considered to allow our residents the opportunity to continue conducting necessary business with the City.
To schedule an appointment:
City Hall Lobby - 561-530-5880
Building Department - 954-551-5230
COUNTY FACTS
The County is reviewing Broward and Miami-Dade business closing orders, but a determination has not been made for the next course of action for our area businesses The County will advise the municipalities as the process continues.
March 16, 2020 - 3:30 PM
CITY FACTS
City Hall services and meetings remain unchanged at this time.
There is NO mandatory curfew at this time for the City of Westlake. A curfew at this time has only been imposed for the Town of Palm Beach.
Presidential Preference Primary Elections are tomorrow, both the State Division of Elections and the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Election are working closely with state health officials to ensure that poll workers and voters can be confident that voting is safe and that voters remain confident that they can safely and securely cast their ballots.
QUICK FACTS
There are eight (8) confirmed cases within Palm Beach County.
Florida Department of Health has launched an interactive map to allow the public to keep track of the number of Coronavirus cases in each county. Dashboard Link
Drive-through testing station in West Palm Beach is available by FoundCare, Inc. a non-profit Federal Qualified Health Center, at 2330 S. Congress Avenue. Testing is ONLY available to select individuals and will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and hours may be adjusted based on need and supplies. Testing will be conducted by trained FoundCare staff members.
Prior to being tested, prospective patients need to call 561-967-0365. During the call, the patient will be asked basic screening questions about their symptoms and other criteria for the test. The phone line will be manned for screening and appointments weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients will be asked if they meet any of the following testing criteria:
- Someone who has been in close contact with confirmed COVID-19 case
- Fever or cough
- Shortness of breath
- International travel in the last 14 days with or without symptoms above
- Cruise travel within the last 14 days with or without symptoms above
- Airline travel in the last 14 days with or without symptoms above
- Attendance at a group gathering where an outbreak for COVID is under investigation, with or without symptoms above
REMINDERS:
For any questions related to COVID - 19, please contact the Florida Department of Health Call Center 1 (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov
The CDC currently recommends community preparedness and everyday prevention measures be taken by all individuals and families in the United States, including, but not limited to tyhe following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Put distance between yourself and other people
- Voluntary home isolation when individuals are sick with respiratory symptoms
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and disposal of the tissue immediately thereafter in a closed trash bin
March 14, 2020
There were five (5) confirmed cases within Palm Beach County, four of the five are confirmed to be travel related and their specific locations within the County have not been identified.
The City of Westlake services and meetings continue without interruption. Cleaning efforts in City Hall and the City Council Chambers have been increased.
Palm Beach County Schools will be closed beginning March 16 - March 27.
We urge residents to follow CDC guidelines (links below) and consult your health care provider as it relates to symptoms, protecting yourself, preparation and response to suspected illness.
Symptoms
IF you have any of these symptoms (which may appear 2-14 days after exposure,) please call your medical provider, the Florida Health Department 866-779-6121 or 211 Palm Beach.:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
