Face Covering Order Gets Extended

Press release from the City of Tampa:

August 4, 2020

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Aug. 3, 2020) - A majority of the members of the
Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group voted today to extend their face
coverings executive order enacted to help slow the spread of COVID-19
coronavirus.

The order requires the wearing of face coverings inside businesses that are
open to the public and where employees and customers aren't able to maintain
social distancing. Non-profit organizations that supply goods and services in
inside areas accessible by the public must also follow the mandate. The order
allows several exceptions, such as for people who have health conditions, or
whose jobs can't be performed while wearing a face covering, or during
exercise, among others.

Residents and business operators can read the order and a list of frequently
asked questions by going to HCFLGov.net.

Under the conditions by which EPG members originally approved the order, they
have revisited their decision weekly. On Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m., the
Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing to
consider significant revisions to the County's Emergency Management Ordinance.
The proposed ordinance amendment will dissolve the Emergency Policy Group and
restore emergency management authority for all disasters, hurricanes/tropical
storms, emergency occurrences, pandemics, and other threats back to the County
Commission. Under the proposal, any existing executive orders of the EPG -
this would include the face coverings order - will remain in effect at the
time emergency management authority transitions to the County Commission.

Local COVID-19 coronavirus data presented to EPG members today continued to
show encouraging trends in several areas:
As of Aug. 1, there were 30,118 total positive cases in Hillsborough County,
an increase of 11% since July 25. However, the rolling 14-day average of cases
is 458, a decrease of 32%.
The rolling 14-day daily positive rate is 10.96%.
The seven-day rolling average census of hospitalizations is 422, a 21%
decrease from the previous seven-day period.
Emergency room visits for COVID-19-like symptoms indicated a downward amount
for the week of July 26.

The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group is currently comprised of three
County Commissioners, the mayors from the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and
Temple Terrace, the Sheriff, and Chairman of the School Board. Authority is
granted by Article 8 of the Florida Constitution, Section 125.66 and Chapter
252, Florida Statutes. Hillsborough County enacted Hillsborough County Code of
Ordinances and Laws Chapter 22, Article II, Sections 22-23 in order to protect
the health, safety, and welfare of the County's residents during declared
emergencies.

Other Hillsborough County News

Learn more about credit scores and consumer loans. Learn how to increase your
credit score, deal with debt, and get the best deals on loans during a free,
interactive webinar hosted by Hillsborough County Extension Service and
presented by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. The webinar is
scheduled on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from noon to 1 p.m. The information presented
could help you save thousands of dollars, and ease stress about financial
issues. Registered participants who complete the session will receive a free
financial toolkit while supplies last. Registration is required, and space is
limited. Registration is required, and space is limited. Register here
(https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/535462571113449729).
For more information, contact Lisa Leslie at (813) 744-5519 ext. 54143 or
Lesliel@HCFLGOV.net.

Get Connected. Stay Alert.
For more information on COVID-19, and any other potential emergency in the
county, visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe and sign up for the HCFL Alert system.
Additionally, you can follow Hillsborough County on social media at Facebook,
Twitter, and Nextdoor for updates. For general County information, call (813)
272-5900, the County's main information line.

This press release was produced by the City of Tampa. The views expressed here are the author's own.