UPDATE – COVID-19 Virus Recommendations and Guidelines

• Miami-Dade County has issued a “safer at home” order: https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/coronavirus-emergency-order-safer-at-home.pdf
• Broward County has issued a “shelter in place” order: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/BC-EmergencyOrder20-03.pdf
• Palm Beach County has issued orders closing “non-essential” businesses, all parks, beaches, golf courses, and “non-critical” businesses (Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner stated that the order is, in effect, a shelter-in-place mandate with exceptions): http://discover.pbcgov.org/PDF/COVID19/Emergency-Order-Number-2.pdf
• In addition, the following municipalities have issued their own orders to curtail the spread of the virus, with more surely to come:
• The City of Miami Beach has issued a “safer at home” order: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Safer-At-Home-Emergency-Order-Revised-03262020-updated-with-backup.pdf
• Coral Gables has instituted a curfew of 10:00 pm: https://www.coralgables.com/media/PublicAffairs/CG%20curfew%20order.pdf
• Every city in Broward County has issued an order (the orders are substantially similar), here are a few examples:
  • https://pompanobeachfl.gov/assets/docs/pages/emergency_management/Proclamation%2020-04.pdf
  • https://www.westonfl.org/home/showdocument?id=3900
  • https://www.ppines.com/DocumentCenter/View/10637/Amended-Emergency-Order—Safer-at-Home-3-28-20
  • https://files.constantcontact.com/fbc8f29a001/c627751d-6ddf-4f47-bdc8-c1a17b46fcde.pdf
• Boca Raton has issued a “stay home” order: https://www.myboca.us/DocumentCenter/View/23954/Stay-at-Home-Emergency-Order-PDF?bidId=
• Under these orders, residents are strongly urged to remain in their homes, except for “essential” activities, such as shopping for food or exercising, while adhering to “social distancing” guidelines.
  The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has issued Emergency Order 2020-04, allowing Condominium Associations, Cooperative Associations, and Homeowners Associations to invoke their emergency powers under Florida Statutes 718.1265(1), 719.128(1), and 720.316(1), respectively, to prevent the spread of the virus and help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the association, unit owners, their families, members, tenants, guests, agents and/or invitees. See, http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/emergency/
              More specifically, while the state of emergency is in effect, Associations are now permitted to, among other actions:
• Conducting board meetings and membership meetings with notice given as is practicable;
• Authority to cancel and reschedule any association meeting(s);
• Name assistant officers, who are not directors, which assistant officers shall have the same authority as executive officers;
• Determine any portion of the condominium property unavailable for entry or occupancy by owners, guests or invitees to protect the health, safety or welfare of the community;
• Contract for items or services for which the owners are otherwise individually liable, but which are necessary to prevent further damage to the association property.  Association may recover these amounts pursuant to its lien authority.
            To further reduce the chances of spreading COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made the following recommendations regarding proper cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces:
   Surfaces
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
  • Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
  • Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
  • For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
  • If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.
  • Otherwise, use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claim that are suitable for porous surfaces
•  Linens, Clothing, and Other Items That Go in the Laundry
• Do not shake dirty laundry; this minimizes the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air.
• Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
• Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts for transporting laundry according to the guidance above for hard or soft surfaces.

We continue to be available to assist you through this difficult time. Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.