County Dispels Rumors About Coronavirus Quarantine Sites

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County hopes to dispel rumors regarding policies, guests and hotel operations after the county opened two hotels to shelter people infected with or exposed to the coronavirus.

The county said the rumors quickly surfaced on social media after the county opened quarantine and isolation sites at the Quality Inn & Conference Center, 2701 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa, and West Wing Hotel, 2501 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, last week.

Why is Hillsborough County providing the hotel space?

Hillsborough County government has signed leases for and opened two hotels that will allow quarantine or isolation of specific people who the Florida Department of Health identifies as having a high risk of getting or spreading the coronavirus.

The sites are meant to prevent further spread of the virus by providing shelter, food and basic services such as laundry and sanitation for qualifying residents who are able to care for themselves, but unable to stay in their own home.

Guests at either hotel are not charged, and food is provided three times a day.

The health department determines who is eligible to use the sites.

Can anyone be admitted into either hotel?

To qualify, an individual must be positive for the coronavirus or be a high-risk contact of a confirmed coronavirus case.

The health department automatically investigates all positive coronavirus cases. Through that investigation, the health department will then identify and directly contact high-risk people.

The health department will interview them to decide who may use the quarantine and isolation sites.

There is no other method by which you can request use of these facilities. Potential guests will be contacted directly by the health department about quarantine and isolation if they qualify.

Once a guest is admitted, can he or she walk out of the property and return to the hotel room?

The guest cannot leave the premises and return. If a guest leaves the premises, he or she forfeits the hotel room. It is recommended that guests stay in their room as much as possible. Guests can exit their rooms at certain times, but every time they open their door, they must wear a mask and gloves that are provided to them.

Are guests forced to stay at the hotels?

Guests are not forced to stay at the hotels. They stay at the hotels voluntarily and can leave at any time.

What do you recommend if a person doesn’t qualify to be admitted into the hotels?

If you are sick and do not qualify for the isolation and quarantine sites, you are strongly encouraged to stay at home. Do not have visitors. Do not share things like towels and utensils. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people in the home. Stay in a specific “sick room” if possible. Use a separate bathroom if available. Wash hands frequently throughout the day for at least 20 seconds. Clean high-touch surfaces like faucets and light switches often.

Are there cruise ship passengers and employees who have been admitted to these hotels?

The Florida Department of Health was notified that the Norwegian Insignia was docking in Tampa to disembark crew members. No passengers are on the ship. The crew members were taken directly to a private plane in Miami where they will then leave the United States to return to their home countries. This is being coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

Quarantine is for people exposed but asymptomatic (not showing any symptoms). A person will be in the quarantine hotel if he or she was exposed to a confirmed case or live with a confirmed case and are unable to safely relocate or cohabitate.

If someone in the quarantine hotel becomes symptomatic, he or she will be relocated to the isolation hotel. Isolation is for people who have confirmed cases of coronavirus.

How are the two hotels staffed?

There is a contracted security staff, contracted site management staff, county liaison and County Task Force leader who are on the premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hotel staff is also on-site.

No one enters rooms other than guests. When the quarantine and isolation sites are no longer needed, both hotels will undergo medical-grade cleaning and sanitation.