COVID-19 strikes Miami Lakes, residents urged to be ‘safer at home,’ schools closed

Miami Lakes has taken emergency actions in response to the coronavirus that limit the number of people in the streets, in the hope that transmission of the COVID-19 virus will be slowed down.
This version of the coronavirus is a severe respiratory disease that left 63 dead in Florida and sickened eight people in town, according to the state’s morning report on March 30.
The virus had taken three lives in Miami-Dade County.
Town Manager Edward Pidermann declared a “safer at home” policy on March 26 that mandates residents stay at their properties.
“This order requires that these measures be taken and that residents remain at home,” Pidermann said. “We do not intend for the enforcement of this order to be heavy-handed. All residents have been extremely cooperative with our police officers up to this point.”
That town residents have been stricken with the virus was not a surprise, Pidermann said, since surrounding communities had already reported cases.
Many Miami Lakers have strong ties to the city of Hialeah, which had 191 cases.
Miami Gardens had 37 cases and Opa-Locka had 19, the state said.
Pidermann also set guidelines for public meetings to be held virtually, over the internet, with remote public access.
Town hall was closed to the public beginning March 27 and employees began working from home.
Pidermann said then he was not setting a curfew.
As for the “safer at home” order, people are allowed to walk pets or exercise outdoors if they keep adequate space -- six feet or more -- between them.
Going out is also allowed for the following reasons:
--Employment in essential retail and commercial activities;
--Outdoor recreation, with social distancing;
--Religious activities;
--Caring for someone outside the home;
--Working in repair services; sanitation and extermination; housekeeping, pool services.
--Employment by the government, police and fire service.
While the municipal center is closed, anyone who has business with the town can dial the main number -- 305-364-6100 -- and a receptionist will forward callers to a staffer’s cellphone.
Parks will remain closed and town programs such as outdoor movies, yoga and the farmers market and athletic competitions are canceled.
The building department will see the most changes in how it does business during this period, Pidermann said.
New permit applications and inspections are on hold until April 13.
Active permitted work may continue, unless a future emergency declaration is issued that includes construction sites.
The town will accept third party professional inspection certifications for all required, in-progress inspections.
Final Inspections, certificates of occupancy and certificates of completion may be requested on or after April 13.
Inspections may be requested via eTRAKit on the town website for after April 13, unless town hall remains closed after that date.
Complaints about code violations may be made on the town app; via email at Codecomplaince@miamilakes-fl.gov or by phone.
For emergencies call 911; for non-emergencies call Miami-Dade Police at 305-476-5423.
Cases will be opened and followed up on when normal operations resume.
Residents and contractors may request zoning
verification letters or administrative site plan
reviews after April 13.
General questions about zoning may be sent to EndaraF@miamilakes-fl.gov.
It seemed residents were getting the message about the danger of crowds.
Someone reported to police the week of March 23 that the Publix Supermarket was filled beyond capacity with shoppers, Pidermann said.
Store management limited how many shoppers could enter and thought at first that meant just 10 people.
But Miami-Dade
Police officers advised that the store can allow more shoppers inside as long as managers ensure that patrons practice social distancing,
Pidermann said.
police are also watching crowd sizes at Winn-Dixie and Costco stores in town.
Vanished from social media were complaints about traffic on Miami Lakes Drive.
Instead, sidewalks along Commerce Way, Northwest 87th Avenue, Fairway Drive and other byways around town were thick with another kind of traffic: folks relieving cabin fever and getting fresh air by walking, running and riding their bicycles.
While most parks are closed, Graham Park shown in the photo above continued to attract dog walkers and small groups of families to its low hills and bridge. A passing police car let them be.