Update from the Village of Wellington during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Wellington is focused on the safety and well-being of its residents, businesses, and employees. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant health and economic threat to our community. We are in this together, and we will work collaboratively with county, state, and national leaders and health officials to bring you important updates and information.

COVID-19 is expected to spread, and the number of cases is expected to rise. Health officials continue to encourage everyone to practice social distancing by avoiding crowds, staying indoors, and limiting travel for essential needs only. It’s important that we all do our part to flatten the curve of this virus.

Our Emergency Operations management team is working with local healthcare providers and county leaders to ensure the Village is prepared and ready. If you are sick, please call your doctor before going to the hospital. To protect our first responders, please be honest in your response to questions about COVID-19 symptoms.

VILLAGE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

Wellington’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains at modified Level 2 status. Palm Beach County’s EOC is currently at Level 2 partial activation. Village officials are taking steps necessary to allow them to access state and federal funds and issue regulations on gatherings and public safety, including business hours and curfews.

  • Village Services: including utilities, public works, and sanitation services continue to operate.
  • Online Services: We encourage everyone to take advantage of our online services. For a list of services that can be accessed online, please visit our How Do I webpage.
  • Water Utility: To ensure that our wastewater system functions properly, Wellington’s Utility Department urges residents to avoid flushing wipes, including wipes advertised as “flushable.”
  • Building Inspections: The Building Department is operating under normal schedule. Permit submittals are being processed electronically without person to person transfer of documentation.  When possible inspections are being performed as usual, interior inspections require prior coordination. There is no physical transfer of documents in the field. All required inspection documents must be submitted electronically.
  • Code Compliance: Code staff is delivering copies of the Governor’s orders and CDC guidelines to businesses Village-wide, particularly those which have been directed to close or modify operations.
  • Senior Services: The following services will be available to Wellington Senior Residents over the age of 60, ONLY:

Pre-Paid Prescription Pickup and Delivery Local (Within Wellington Area), Pre-Ordered and Paid Groceries Pickup and Delivery Local (Within Wellington Area), Senior Transportation Program Expanded to Unlimited rides in Wellington (to the doctor’s office, grocery store or pharmacy only). Call the Senior Call Center at 561-791-4796.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

  • Palm Beach County School District FREE Feeding sites: School Food Service will continue serving meals to District students throughout the school closure. Nutritionally-balanced ‘Grab and Go’ meals will be offered at school locations around the District. The meals will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and are FREE to anyone under 18 years of age (under 22 for ESE students), regardless of financial need. Students must be present in order to receive the meal. Please pay close attention to variations in feeding site locations, as some change from week to week. For more information, please visit the Palm Beach County School Board Website. We have also added a link to this resource on our website.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs provide free food to Palm Beach County families. Call the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club at (561) 790-0343 for more information.

FOOD AND GROCERY UPDATES

  • Publix Stores and Pharmacies will be open early from 7 AM – 8 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for customers 65+ to shop ahead of the crowds.
  • Whole Foods will open at 7 AM daily for customers 60+.
  • Target will allow for the first hour of shopping on Wednesdays only for the most vulnerable customers – 65+, pregnant women and CDC-defined vulnerable or at-risk.
  • Walmart, beginning on Tuesday, March 24th and for each Tuesday after through April 28, will open one hour early for customers 60+.
  • Please check with your local grocery to confirm these details.
  • A curfew has NOT been ordered for Palm Beach County. While the state has ordered the closure of nightclubs and bars through the end of the month, Wellington businesses have NOT been shut down. Restaurants and all businesses are encouraged to follow guidance from the CDC and the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Health.
  • Our Call Centers (Village Hall 561-791-4000 & Senior Call Center 561-791-4796 ) are reserved for information about senior services; they are not intended to provide medical assistance. Please call your physician or the Florida Department of Health for health-related questions.
  • Questions for the Village?: Call our Call Center at 561-791-4000

 

 

  • New Closures:  The Tennis Center is closed until further notice.
  • The Village Park Gymnasium and the Community Center are also closed until further notice. For questions relating to these facilities, call 561-791-4000.
  • Closures and Cancellations: For a complete list of Village closures/cancellations, please visit: wellingtonfl.gov/covid19closures

Wellington officials will continue to make determinations about future event cancellations and postponements, including concerts and large events taking place in the Village. In the meantime, residents are asked to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions should take extra precautions to reduce their risk. This is the time to evaluate your exposure and take all precautions necessary to reduce your chances of getting sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, take everyday precautions like washing your hands and disinfecting your home, avoid large crowds, and take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your exposure to the virus.

 

Wellington is focused on the safety and well-being of its residents, businesses, and employees. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant health and economic threat to our community. We are in this together, and we will work collaboratively with county, state, and national leaders and health officials to bring you important updates and information.

COVID-19 is expected to spread, and the number of cases is expected to rise. Health officials continue to encourage everyone to practice social distancing by avoiding crowds, staying indoors, and limiting travel for essential needs only. It’s important that we all do our part to flatten the curve of this virus.

Our Emergency Operations management team is working with local healthcare providers and county leaders to ensure the Village is prepared and ready. If you are sick, please call your doctor before going to the hospital. To protect our first responders, please be honest in your response to questions about COVID-19 symptoms.

VILLAGE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

Wellington’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains at modified Level 2 status. Palm Beach County’s EOC is currently at Level 2 partial activation. Village officials are taking steps necessary to allow them to access state and federal funds and issue regulations on gatherings and public safety, including business hours and curfews.

  • Village Services: including utilities, public works, and sanitation services continue to operate.
  • Online Services: We encourage everyone to take advantage of our online services. For a list of services that can be accessed online, please visit our How Do I webpage.
  • Water Utility: To ensure that our wastewater system functions properly, Wellington’s Utility Department urges residents to avoid flushing wipes, including wipes advertised as “flushable.”
  • Building Inspections: The Building Department is operating under normal schedule. Permit submittals are being processed electronically without person to person transfer of documentation.  When possible inspections are being performed as usual, interior inspections require prior coordination. There is no physical transfer of documents in the field. All required inspection documents must be submitted electronically.
  • Code Compliance: Code staff is delivering copies of the Governor’s orders and CDC guidelines to businesses Village-wide, particularly those which have been directed to close or modify operations.
  • Senior Services: The following services will be available to Wellington Senior Residents over the age of 60, ONLY:

Pre-Paid Prescription Pickup and Delivery Local (Within Wellington Area), Pre-Ordered and Paid Groceries Pickup and Delivery Local (Within Wellington Area), Senior Transportation Program Expanded to Unlimited rides in Wellington (to the doctor’s office, grocery store or pharmacy only). Call the Senior Call Center at 561-791-4796.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

  • Palm Beach County School District FREE Feeding sites: School Food Service will continue serving meals to District students throughout the school closure. Nutritionally-balanced ‘Grab and Go’ meals will be offered at school locations around the District. The meals will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and are FREE to anyone under 18 years of age (under 22 for ESE students), regardless of financial need. Students must be present in order to receive the meal. Please pay close attention to variations in feeding site locations, as some change from week to week. For more information, please visit the Palm Beach County School Board Website. We have also added a link to this resource on our website.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs provide free food to Palm Beach County families. Call the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club at (561) 790-0343 for more information.

FOOD AND GROCERY UPDATES

  • Publix Stores and Pharmacies will be open early from 7 AM – 8 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for customers 65+ to shop ahead of the crowds.
  • Whole Foods will open at 7 AM daily for customers 60+.
  • Target will allow for the first hour of shopping on Wednesdays only for the most vulnerable customers – 65+, pregnant women and CDC-defined vulnerable or at-risk.
  • Walmart, beginning on Tuesday, March 24th and for each Tuesday after through April 28, will open one hour early for customers 60+.
  • Please check with your local grocery to confirm these details.

 

 

  • A curfew has NOT been ordered for Palm Beach County. While the state has ordered the closure of nightclubs and bars through the end of the month, Wellington businesses have NOT been shut down. Restaurants and all businesses are encouraged to follow guidance from the CDC and the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Health.
  • Our Call Centers (Village Hall 561-791-4000 & Senior Call Center 561-791-4796 ) are reserved for information about senior services; they are not intended to provide medical assistance. Please call your physician or the Florida Department of Health for health-related questions.
  • Questions for the Village?: Call our Call Center at 561-791-4000

 

 

  • New Closures:  The Tennis Center is closed until further notice.
  • The Village Park Gymnasium and the Community Center are also closed until further notice. For questions relating to these facilities, call 561-791-4000.
  • Closures and Cancellations: For a complete list of Village closures/cancellations, please visit: wellingtonfl.gov/covid19closures

Wellington officials will continue to make determinations about future event cancellations and postponements, including concerts and large events taking place in the Village. In the meantime, residents are asked to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions should take extra precautions to reduce their risk. This is the time to evaluate your exposure and take all precautions necessary to reduce your chances of getting sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, take everyday precautions like washing your hands and disinfecting your home, avoid large crowds, and take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your exposure to the virus.

 

 

 

Message from Wellington Regional Medical Center

Wellington Regional Medical Center staff urge residents to help our healthcare professions by taking the following steps to help flatten the curve of COVID-19.

  • If you or your business has any surgical or N95 masks, drop them off at your local emergency department.
  • If you are concerned that you might have COVID-19 PLEASE self-quarantine. Not all of the patients who are seeking medical attention at local hospitals suffer from COVID-19.  Every day, patients need immediate care for medical emergencies such as stroke, chest pain, broken bones or even trauma.  If you are concerned that you might have COVID-19 PLEASE self-quarantine.  For the vast majority of people who contract the virus, their symptoms will be mild and will not need medical intervention.  If you experience difficulty breathing or have concerns that your symptoms are becoming significantly worse, then please seek medical attention.  If your symptoms are not significantly progressing, please self-quarantine for 14 days during the time of your illness.
  • Practice good hygiene. Our best defense against the spread of COVID-19 continues to be frequently hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol are a good alternative.  Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, mouth, and nose.
  • Remember to be a good neighbor, and don’t hoard essentials like water, food, cleaning supplies or toilet paper.  Purchase only the minimum you need and leave the rest for another family who is also in need of these same items.
  • Finally, practice social distancing & continue to limit the number of trips you make. Support our local businesses by ordering take-out and delivery.
  • Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office: Due to the Corona Virus outbreak, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is closing districts’ offices temporarily. However, that does not mean, they are not here for you. PBSO is still fully operational. For emergencies call 9-1-1. To file a police report call (561)688-3400 or visit our website.
  • Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: Please don’t be alarmed when you see our Palm Beach County Fire Rescue firefighters responding to medical calls with extra protective layers, if patients meet certain criteria. It does NOT mean the patient has COVID19, it means they have similar symptoms. We are doing this to make sure we don’t expose ourselves or anyone else to the virus.
  • Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center is Available 24/7
    Call: 1 (866) 779-6121
    Email: [email protected]
    For additional information and helpful links regarding COVID-19, please visit the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website at FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website regarding COVID-19 at cdc.gov/COVID19 
  • Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline has been activated. If you experience price gouging or scams related to COVID-19 commodities, call 1-(866)-9NO-SCAM, or 1-866-966-7226 to file a report.
  • As recommended by the Florida Department of Health, if you think you may have COVID-19 or are showing any symptoms, call your doctor or local hospital before leaving your home.

 

 

Wellington is coordinating efforts with our local chambers of commerce, and local business leaders to minimize the impacts that COVID-19 will have on businesses and employees.

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order closing all Palm Beach County beaches, movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, arcades, gyms, and fitness studios. Any restaurants, bars, taverns, pubs, night clubs, banquet halls, cocktail lounges, cabarets, breweries, cafeterias, and any other alcohol and/or food service businesses with seating for 10 or more are closed. These closures are in effect through March 31st. These establishments may remain open for takeout, pickup, or delivery service. Businesses not outlined in the Governor’s executive order can remain open, and that decision should be made by each individual business owner.

The Village commends local businesses who are following social distancing recommendations set by Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order; responsibly choosing to self-regulate.

  • Businesses Resources: We’ve created a dedicated Business Resource page on the village’s website. This page includes information relating to the IRS, Small Business Assistance programs, and more.

 

 

Wellington offers an easy way to stay informed about the Village’s response to COVID-19. Visit wellingtonfl.gov/NotifyMe and sign up to receive email notifications as soon as updates are published and available on the Website.
We will regularly update residents and business owners about Village closures, cancellations, and resources pertaining to COVID-19 through:

Questions? Call Village Hall 561-791-4000 & our Senior Call Center 561-791-4796. These lines are reserved for information about senior services; they are not intended to provide medical assistance. Please call your physician or the Florida Department of Health for health-related questions.
We will keep you updated as new information becomes available on our website wellingtonfl.gov/coronavirus, and on social media.