Face Masks Mandatory In Tampa Starting At 5 p.m. Friday
TAMPA, FL — As of 5 p.m. Friday, Tampa residents heading out for a night on the town better make sure they're wearing face masks.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced Thursday that she is mandating that all Tampa employees and customers wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Castor made the announcement during Thursday's Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group meeting.
“If we wear masks, we can put an end to this spread. That is the bottom line,” Castor said.
The order will take effect at 5 p.m. Friday and apply to all indoor locations outside the home when residents can't maintain a six-foot separation from others said Castor in a Facebook announcement.
Those violating the order could receive a civil citation. Children under 2 are exempt.
She added that the city will provide masks to anyone who needs one.
Castor said she's concerned about a recent uptick in positive cases of the coronavirus among millennials since businesses have reopened and people have gone back to work. She said five ZIP codes in the city have the highest rate of positive cases per 1,000 residents. See Hillsborough County cases by ZIP code.
They include downtown Tampa, West Tampa and the airport, East Tampa and the area around the University of South Florida.
“The only way to stop this is to wear a mask. That’s the only way,” Castor said. “I, for one, don’t want to wait until we get past the point of no return.”
Face masks may become a countywide fashion accessory. Taking its cue from Castor, the EPG voted 5-3 Thursday to have the county attorney's office draft a mandatory mask order to be voted on at Monday's EPG meeting.
Voting in favor of the order were Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandy Murman and Kimberly Overman, commission chairman Les Miller, acting Temple Terrace Mayor Andy Ross and Castor.
Hillsborough School Board chairwoman Melissa Snively, Sheriff Chad Chronister and Plant City Mayor Rick Lott voted against the order.
The vote came after a presentation by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott A. Rivkees who emphasized the importance of masks in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
He said those in the 15 to 34 age group testing positive for coronavirus is becoming a statewide trend.
EPG members are especially concerned because the number of people being admitted to area hospitals with the coronavirus is on the increase.
Members suggested creating a special response team to concentrate on education efforts and distribute face coverings to residents in areas with the largest number of coronavirus cases.
This article originally appeared on the Tampa Patch
