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COVID-19 / Coronavirus Update March 22, 2020 6:00pm

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CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH EMERGENCY DIRECTIVE MARCH 21, 2020 UPDATE AND NOTIFICATION

SUBJECT:  CLOSING THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH TO OCCUPANCY BY ALL PERSONS EXCEPT RESIDENTS

WHEREAS, the City declared a State of Local Emergency on Friday, March 20, 2020, in order for the City to take actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of the City due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, in the interest of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Key Colony Beach, it is:

ORDERED that

  1. The City of Key Colony Beach is closing to occupancy by all persons except those with primary or secondary residences within the City.
  2. A residence is defined as a dwelling owned, or rented, by the occupant for a rental period greater than six (6) months.
  3. Effective March 23, 2020, at 12 noon, until May 31, 2020 at 12 noon, all rentals, where the dwelling is not the residence of the renter, shall cease.  The occupant of subject property shall vacate no later than March 24, 2020 at 12 noon.  The City Commission will review these directives on April 23, 2020.
  4. This rental ban shall not apply to rentals to transitory military personnel, first responders, health care workers, construction workers actively engaged in projects in the City or others engaged in formal business in the Florida Keys.
  5. Per F.S. 252.46(2), this Order shall take effective immediately upon being filed with the Monroe County Clerk.

The above directive supplements Emergency Directive 20-02 issued by Monroe County Emergency Management on March 20, 2020, which the Key Colony Beach City Commission adopted on March 20, 2020. As to inconsistencies between the two directives, the City’s directive above shall control in the City of Key Colony Beach.

The above directed will be filed with Monroe County Clerk on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Additional information to supplement Emergency Directive from March 21, 2020

On Saturday, your Commission voted to make a more specific COVID-19 emergency order than the County’s for Key Colony Beach.  This is intended for the benefit of both our Residents and Guests. The reasoning behind the order is:

  1. Limited medical facilities and supplies in the Keys;
    1. Two emergent care hospitals,
    2. One temporary emergent care hospital,
    3. Limited isolation beds in the Keys,
    4. Trauma-star will not fly virus patients,
    5. Concerns Miami hospitals capacity for our patients
    6. Our medical is sized for our Resident population of around 76,000;
  2. Limited food and personal hygiene supplies;
  3. Travel may become increasingly difficult as the virus becomes widespread;
  4. Screening as of now, will be for Residents only;
  5. We are 34% short term rentals, a very high percentage of our homes;
  6. Our population is an average age of 63, bordering on the most at-risk population;
  7. According to our Attorney, the County order may not be enforceable due to ambiguity;
  8. We do not know when this pandemic will peak, but now, travel to your primary residence is not easy, but not difficult if driving, as most of our winter residents do;
  9. Canada is asking their residents to return.

The Commission understands there maybe be limited, medically necessary or travel restriction, reasons why certain individuals may need extra time to depart and have directed the Chief of Police to identify and monitor each individual circumstance.  He, along with direction from the City Attorney, may use discretion.  If necessary, the Commission will review any case brought forward by the Chief, City Attorney or City Administrator.