Hillsborough Emergency Officials Approve Revised Mask Mandate

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group voted Monday to revise its face mask mandate following complaints by business owners and residents.

At a meeting held Monday afternoon, the group voted to eliminate criminal penalties for business owners who do not make an effort to enforce the mandate. Instead, those who do not follow the mandate will face civil citations.

The group said a "reasonable effort" includes placing signs at entrances to businesses, asking customers to comply with the rules, requiring all employees who are not exempt to wear masks and making public announcements about the mask mandate.

Ahead of Monday's meeting, the EPG asked Hillsborough County Attorney Christine Beck to return with revised language that would remove the criminal penalties for businesses if they make every effort to get customers to comply with the ordinance.

People in Hillsborough County who are not exempt and who do not comply could face a $150 fine.

Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Les Miller Jr., Commissioner Kimberly Overman, Commissioner Sandy Murman, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Temple Acting Mayor Andy Ross voted to support to revised mandate.

Sheriff Chad Chronister, Plant City Commissioner Nate Kilton and School member Melissa Snively voted against.

The EPG voted 5-3 on June 22 to mandate the wearing of face masks in restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores and other businesses throughout the county where customers and employees are in close contact.

However, after receiving hundreds of emails from businesses and residents, the EPG decided to make some adjustments to the controversial order.

To avoid putting the enforcement responsibilities on the county's police departments and sheriff's office, the original mask order holds businesses responsible for enforcement. Businesses that don't enforce the ordinance could receive a second-degree misdemeanor, which could carry up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

The order provides exceptions for anyone with a mental or health condition that prohibits them from using a mask.

Since the mask order went into effect June 24, the sheriff's office has received about three calls per day from businesses about customers flaunting or ignoring the rules. There's been two to three times that number of calls from customers complaining that other customers are in a business without a mask.

The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group is made up of three county commissioners, the mayors from the cities of Plant City, Tampa and Temple Terrace, the sheriff and the chairman of the school board. The EPG has the authority to make ordered during declared emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic.

Related:

• Hillsborough Mandatory Mask Order Effective At 5 p.m. Wednesday
• Hillsborough Officials Reconsider Impact Of Face Mask Order