Following closely on the heels of the City of St. Petersburg, the City of Tampa today published its own executive order requiring face coverings be worn to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under certain circumstances. Unlike the City of St. Petersburg, the City of Tampa is not requiring businesses to have a written COVID-19 mitigation plan, but it is applying the face covering policy to a broader group. You can view a copy of the actual order by clicking here.
Important Terms
Face Covering is a uniform piece of materials that securely covers a person’s nose and mouth and does not require hands to hold it in place. These can be home made or store bought.
Social Distancing is keeping at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Who Does the Order Apply To?
The City of Tampa order applies broadly as follows:
Every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in the City of Tampa is required to wear a face covering in any indoor location, other than their home or residence, when not maintaining social distancing from other persons, excluding family members or companions
People are not required or allowed to wear face masks to conceal their identity in violation of Florida’s Crimes Against Public Order statute. Further, Medical and surgical face masks, or N95 masks, should be reserved for health care personnel and first responders.
Exceptions
The order does not apply to the following people:
Persons younger than 2
Persons observing social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines
Persons for whom a face covering would cause an impairment due to an existing health condition
Persons working in a business or profession who do not have interactions with other persons,
Persons working in a business or profession who maintain social distancing from another person
Persons working in a business or profession where use of a face covering would prevent them from performing the duties of the business or profession,
Persons exercising, while maintaining social distancing,
Persons eating or drinking
Public safety, fire, and other life safety and health care personnel, as their personal protective equipment requirements are governed by their respective agencies
Persons who are hearing impaired who need to see the mouth of someone wearing a face covering in order to communicate
Violations of this order shall be a noncriminal civil infraction, punishable with up to a $500.00 fine.
Key Takeaways
First, the order is limited to those working in indoor locations other than their home or residence. If you are working outside, the order does not apply to you. Arguably, if you are working in someone else’s home, then you would need to wear a mask, or be able to maintain social distancing.
Second, like the St. Petersburg order, this violations can carry a $500.00 fine, and I would not be surprised if code enforcement or other City officers are enforcing this order in the near future.
Keep yourself safe and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.