Hillsborough County Relaxes Mask Mandates At County Facilities

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — With Hillsborough County COVID-19 coronavirus transmission levels declining, Hillsborough County is closing some of its COVID-19 testing, vaccination and antibody therapy treatment sites and relaxing its face mask mandates at county facilities.

On Friday, Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie M. Wise updated an Administrative Directive for COVID-19 protocols in county facilities and for county staff.

Under the updated directive, face coverings will be strongly encouraged but not required for staff and visitors in county facilities beginning Monday, Nov. 15.

The directive applies to libraries, recreation centers and the Frederick B. Karl County Center where county government meetings take place.

However, the county will continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommending that employees who interact with vulnerable populations be required to continue to wear masks for indoor programming.

CDC guidance strongly recommends that unvaccinated people and those with weakened immune systems continue to wear masks.

County officials will continue to work with the Florida Department of Health and other medical experts to monitor the COVID-19 transmission levels in the county and will update indoor protocols accordingly for both staff and visitors to county facilities.

The following COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and antibody therapy treatment sites are closing:

• The antibody therapy treatment at Kings Forest Park, 8008 E. Chelsea St., will close Sunday at 5 p.m.
• COVID-19 testing at the Code Enforcement Complex, 1101 E. 139th Ave., Tampa, will close Sunday at 5 p.m.
• COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and boosters at Progress Village Park, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa, will end Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 5 p.m.

A new COVID-19 testing and antibody therapy treatment site will open at the West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N. Rome Ave., Tampa, Monday, Nov. 15. It will provide COVID-19 testing and antibody therapy treatment daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are not required.

After the Progress Village Park site closes on Nov. 24, the Tampa Community Resource Center site will become a one-stop shop for all COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and antibody therapy treatments.

It will offer adult and pediatric vaccinations starting Saturday, Nov. 27 daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.