This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The commission expanded the rule last month to match the requirement in Pinellas County, mandating restaurant patrons be seated in order to remove their masks to eat or drink. Gov. Have coronavirus vaccine questions? Hillsborough County School leaders have extended the district's current mask mandate for another 30 days. Dr. Mark Ghaly, California's Health and Human Services Secretary, announced more details on what California's mask mandate looks like after the June 15 reopening. They also recommend waiting until our test positivity rate falls below 3% for four consecutive weeks. It is not a time to let our guard down, we have seen other countries enter into a second surge which is actually global in nature right now, said Overman. With Floridas COVID-19 restrictions now out the door, some public health experts are concerned about potential fallout from easing up too soon before enough people are vaccinated. to pack in maskless folks, Overman said Thursday. According to commissioners, extending the state of emergency will allow them to be in position to get federal relief money as it becomes available. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Tuesday issued the following statement regarding the potential for lifting the mask mandate currently in effect for Erie County-owned buildings and facilities. If they dont want to wear a mask then they dont have to, said Marissa Lopez. 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Pinellas County rescinded its mask mandate on, Hillsborough County rescinded its mask mandate on, Pasco County rescinded its mask mandate on. The rule applied to employees and customers unable to abide by social distancing guidelines inside businesses, but included an exemption if people were eating or drinking. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Dr. Holt says 45.5% of the people in the county have been vaccinated, but the 16-39 age group has the lowest vaccination rate, at just 30%. TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County is once again requiring masks inside all county buildings due to the rise of COVID-19 cases. For the 26-year-old vocalist/guitarist, getting to reunite with friend/producer Dan Auerbach for this sophomore bow was a lifeline despite the fact that he was still navigating some dark times when the duo went . While the PreK-12 Appropriations subcommittee considering the proposal didn't address it at its meeting Tuesday, school district leaders say they are monitoring the situation closely. See related story: No Masks; CDC Dramatically Eases COVID-19 Restrictions Friday. Face coverings will still be available at county facilities for visitors who request one. LINK: To read the county's full directive, click here. The county adopted its face mask mandate last summer in an attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory illness. Masks became optional inside Johnston, Lee, Person and Wayne County schools on Monday, and Vance County voted to make masks optional next Monday, Feb. 28. But to be safe, officials said they wanted to continue requiring masks for a couple more weeks. Did you check your W-2? If that rate of decline remains consistent the county doesnt expect to achieve a 50% vaccination rate until mid-June and a 70% vaccination rate can be achieved sometime in late July. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. DeSantis earlier this summer signed the "Parents' Bill of Rights," aimed at protecting caretakers' choices over a child's health and upbringing. But it is important to recognize that second surge is a risk if we let our guards down.". Northern Ireland assembly. "Vaccinations remain the most effective tool against infections from COVID-19, and we encourage all students, staff and families to become fully vaccinated," the email read. Limited time only! Ron DeSantis issued an executive order May 3, 2021. that barred local governments and school systems from imposing COVID-19 restrictions, including mask rules. Hillsborough Countys health director told the board that the number of people being tested for COVID-19 in Hillsborough County continues to decline and the number of people being tested is down by 6% over the previous week. Example video title will go here for this video. "For other families, this is coming way too fast.". Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The school district requires students, teachers and staff to mask up, with an opt-out available to students for medical reasons as long as they submit a doctor's note. Much of DeSantis' legislative wish list finds allies among fellow GOP members of. Mondays announcement by the governor came because vaccines are readily available and appointments arent necessary, he said. Baldwin added that loosening the COVID-19 restriction is about personal choice and freedom. Executive Committee Business: Debt Relief Bill: First Stage Housing (Amendment) Bill: Final Stage $18) with no contract. 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County officials will continue to work with the Florida Department of Health and other medical experts to monitor COVID-19 transmission levels in the county and will update indoor protocols accordingly for both staff and visitors to county facilities. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until SAT 7:00 PM EST, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, Watch: Fishermen spot sharks in huge feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, One month ago, Harriet the eagle disappeared from her famous Florida nest, Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off its sweet tradition in Plant City, 3 Daughters head brewer killed in Skyway Bridge accident, company says, Tampa residents of mobile home park get more time to vacate after Hillsborough County contacts landlord, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, 8-year-old girl who performed solo wins big in cheer competition after team didn't show up, From Coconut Road to Moose Tracks, here's the scoop on how Publix creates its ice cream, North Port brush fire: Roads reopen after fire forces closures on I-75; schools evacuate as precaution. "The health and safety of our students, families, teachers, and staff is very important to the Board; the medical experts advised the Board that vaccines and facial coverings were the two most effective tools to control the spread of COVID-19 in schools. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. WRAL Data Trackers report that while coronavirus cases and hospitalizations were much higher during North Carolina's omicron peak, the number of people who died with the virus was larger during the winter of 2021. The facial covering requirement appears to be working as the number of students and staff in isolation and quarantine and the number of reported COVID-19 cases in our schools have gone down since the requirement was put in place," Hillsborough County Public Schools said in a statement. The line wrapped around the building. But no vote is imminent in Hillsborough County as some parents are demanding the face-mask policies end immediately. Unnasch says likely June to July if we keep our guards up and the vaccination schedule stays on pace. : Send us confidential news tips. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In the meantime, if your child is not feeling well, please have them stay home and get tested.". Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter. The county is considering closing down the vaccination site at the T. Pepin Hospitality Centre, as only 20 people have appointments for the vaccine and only 60 people have signed up to be vaccinated there in the next two weeks. With just weeks to go until the end of the school year, Sarasota County public schools decided Tuesday to maintain the district's current face-covering policy in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Pasco to study possible road across the Cypress Creek Preserve, Floridas edicts on classrooms are wearing thin with some school board members, Florida Democrats choose Nikki Fried to lead the party, Did you do your taxes? Assembly Business: New Assembly Member: Mr Paul Frew A TRIBUTE TO THE FLORIDIANS TAKEN BY THE CORONAVIRUS: They were parents and retirees, police officer and doctors, imperfect but loved deeply. School mask mandates have become a hot topic among Floridians . The county's indoor mask mandate, which includes Raleigh, ends Friday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. "Our high vaccination rate puts our district on solid footing once face coverings become optional. That mandate went into effect Aug. 5 and will. TAMPA, Fla. (CW44 News At 10) - The Hillsborough County school board voted to approve a more strict mask mandate for the district on Wednesday. Roy Cooper's call for an end to indoor mask mandates across the state, in public schools and in local communities by March 7. For too long, weve allowed bars and restaurants. Commissioner Gwen Myers noted the county code enforcement officers have visited 2,000 businesses to explain the current safety standards. Dr. Francis Boyle was the author of the 1989 Bioweapons and Antiterrorism Act, and is one of the world's most credible authorities on this topic. Florida's Hillsborough County is one of them. Recommended Stories USA TODAY Video shows teen. With Spring Break just around the corner, doctors stress getting through the next few months could be key to putting the COVID-19 pandemic behind us for good. If you've had a significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, wear a mask for 10 days. The directive applies to Hillsborough County facilities, including libraries, recreation centers and the Frederick B. Karl County Center county offices in downtown Tampa. They were parents and retirees, police officer and doctors, imperfect but loved deeply. What we found is that we failed to address it is very difficult to social distance when youre permitted to take your mask off which is when youre eating and drinking, Overman told the rest of the commission Thursday. Asa Hutchinson signed a law banning local mask mandates on Friday, though the law won't take effect until early July, and Tennessee Gov. County facilities include libraries, recreation centers and the Frederick B. Karl County Center, officials said. The vote was 5 to 2 to require students and staffers to mask up beginning Thursday. The county health director says the vaccination rate. HAVE A TIP? Summit County's would have expired at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21. For the first time in months, commissioners will be masked up at Wednesday's board meeting after county recently brought back its own . Arkansas Gov. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that it is no longer recommending that people wear face masks indoors, Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie M.Wise signed an administrative directive updating COVID-19 face-covering guidelines for staff and visitors at Hillsborough County facilities. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. Monday 21 June 2010. The school system has required masks for students, teachers and staff since returning to in-person learning more than a year ago. The broader ordinance also prohibited eating or standing at bars and congregating on dance floors. The Utah House voted 45-29 Friday morning to end the locally-imposed COVID-19 mask mandates in Salt Lake and Summit counties. She said that "respecting and valuing the choices of others, and understanding the choices of others" would be important in the next couple of weeks. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. Hillsborough County Public Schools says it has no plans to change the school district's current mask mandate, despite a letter from the commissioner of education threatening to withhold the salaries of school board members if it remains. I just think applying this outdoors takes this a step too far, said Commissioner Harry Cohen. Dr. Doug Holt with the Hillsborough County Health Department says the transmission rate for the virus remains at about 400 new cases per day which he says is high compared to other neighboring counties. In Tampa, people started lining up early Monday for the lone county-run testing site in Tampa. County leaders recognized that "key metrics in Orange County are dropping, including the number of cases and percent positivity for test results." Expert Answers: UPDATE | Sept. 9: The Hillsborough County School Board passed a motion Thursday to extend its mask mandate for another 30 days. Maxx Flash Deal: Get 100GB, unlimited local outgoing calls and 2GB Roaming Data. DeSantis is now preventing local governments from requiring face coverings. Hillsborough County School Board members voted Wednesday to require masks be worn in county schools for the next 30 days. Last week, Orange County government reinstituted a mask mandate for visitors and staff inside county buildings, citing the Delta variant. USF College of Public Health Dr. Thomas Unnasch is one of the 17 doctors to give his input. Overman withdrew her motion to expand the mask mandate, but offered a substitute to make her proposed requirement a recommendation from the county. The requirement applies to both county employees and visitors. The City of Sarasota removed its mask mandate in February. Whats the good of having a business if its at the expense of someones health. The state Department of Health and Human Services recommended on Thursday that low-risk settings, including public schools, make face coverings voluntary if COVID-19 trends continue downward. politicians on both sides of the aisle the GOP-led House and the Democratic governor appeared to be surrendering to growing mask fatigue. The CDC order. Those fully vaccinated are . However, Hillsborough County Public Schools says its policy allows parents to opt out. Masks have been required in Wake County, but individual municipalities could set their own rules. Kristin Dozier, Leon County Commission To Weigh The Question June 21, 2020 It should be by choice. Can a business, hospital, or other private facility open to the public require me to wear a mask or other face covering? The mandate now expires on Oct. 15. We have joked that were going to have a mask burning party when its all safe and were allowed to do so. Gov. That mask is just a little tiny barrier and if that allows us to do what we love to do, then we are happy to do it, she said. It doesnt have a brain, it doesnt care, it doesnt get bored and if we give it a chance its gonna exploit us.. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. Leaders in Texas and Mississippi are the latest in the nation to announce theyre lifting statewide mask mandates, against CDC recommendations. Publix released a statement Tuesday, May 4 saying there will be no changes made to its mask policy. Lightning concede multiple in 2nd period, lose 5-3 to Sabres, Pasco sheriff: 3 people, including a 6-year-old girl, shot in the head during home invasion, 10 Weather: Warm weekend, isolated rain chances, Windy conditions ahead of chance of rain this weekend, requires students, teachers and staff to mask up, No, CDC study cited in Florida mask trial does not show no rationale for masking students. The Hillsborough County School Board Wednesday voted to institute a 30-day mandatory mask policy. TAMPA, Fla. (CW44 News At 10) - We are hearing from parents after the Hillsborough County School Board decided to change the district's mask policy on Tuesday. So far this month, nearly 700 people have died with COVID-19. County employees serving vulnerable populations in designated formal organized indoor programs are still required to wear face coverings. I miss seeing my clients faces, she explained. Effective Monday, masks are optional inside Johnston, Lee, Person and Wayne County schools. Among hospitals within the Duke Health system, hospitalizations among people who tested positive with COVID-19 has decreased by 50% this month. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Collier commissioners' next scheduled meeting is April 13, the day the county's face-covering requirement is set to expire. The revised rule will also affect in-person public comments at the Board of County Commissioners meetings, beginning Jan. 12. Well deliver the latest news and information you need to know every weekday morning. Sarah Salvador shopped in Ybor on Wednesday and she says is not pleased Gov. Wake County's order went into effect Aug. 20, applying to. Several districts have already voted to make masks optional, including Chatham, Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Person, Sampson and Wayne. "The measure is being taken as a precaution for the health and safety of County employees as well as residents," officials said in a statement. Ben Wax owns LaFrance, a vintage clothing store in Ybor City. Several wrote they also want quarantining to stop. We have answers, Florida. So, we will still be requiring masks and limiting the number of people in the store for the near future, said Wax. New Hampshire's statewide mask mandate expired on April 16, 2021, but some private businesses, municipalities, and organizations still have mask mandates in place for everyone, vaccinated or. Starting Monday, Feb. 28, the updated administrative directive encourages the wearing of face coverings at county facilities, but it will no longer be a requirement. Dr. Holt says 45.5% of the people in the county have been vaccinated, but the 16-39 age group has the lowest vaccination rate, at just 30%. "Throughout this pandemic, we've implemented many changes in our stores to safeguard the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We wanted to know: Could Florida follow a similar trend and what would it take for mask mandates to be lifted locally? New York City says it will end school mask and indoor proof-of-vaccination mandates. Effective Wednesday, Dec. 29, face coverings will be required indoors at all county facilities for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. FACE MASKS: Read the latest on guidelines, tips for comfort and long-term wear. A spokesperson for the school district says its decision to implement a mask mandate relied on the advice of doctors and public health experts, and in no way violated state law. One thing thats not sick of all of these precautions is the virus. Speaker's Business. Its not a gamble that I think anyone should be taking in this country at this point in time and certainly not Florida, Unnasch elaborated. The Boards emergency rule is consistent with state law as the emergency rule provides for a parental opt-out of the facial covering requirement with a medical certificate. Last week, California dropped its indoor mask mandate for unvaccinated people. COVID-19 mask requirements in Ontario will lift in most indoor settings later this month, the province's top doctor has confirmed. A Florida lawmaker wants to cut $200 million from school districts that enforced student mask mandates, including Hillsborough and Sarasota counties. Overmans planned mandate drew objections from members of the public who addressed commissioners Thursday morning. We must close any loopholes that are allowing bars and nightclubs to have super spreader events, he told commissioners. The City of Raleigh requires masks indoors, for example, while Cary and Apex do not. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL Go ahead and trash those noisome face masks at least for now. Commissioners are still urging people to wear masks when necessary and socially distance. In Tampa Bay schools, the end is in sight for mask mandates Encouraged by the governor's Monday emergency order, some angry parents demanded faster action. Leaders in Texas and Mississippi are the latest in the nation to announce theyre lifting statewide mask mandates, against CDC recommendations. It turns out 18 local doctors have already come up with a strict set of recommendations for local leaders in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties laying out criteria they think should be met before mask rules are lifted. Overman said earlier this month that the rules should apply outside of bars and restaurants, too. If you havent already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription. The doctors collectively agreed it would be reckless to discontinue mask rules until there are no more than 45 new cases per day in Hillsborough County, 30 new cases a day in Pinellas County and 14 new cases a day in Pasco County. But, Thomas DeGeorge, owner of the Crowbar in Ybor City, offered a different view. Were working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. State data shows that 77% of Wake County residents ages 5 and up have had either the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. While commissioners voted 4-3 to repeal the mandate, they did unanimously. Why take a chance now when we can just go for another 10 weeks and really be through it, Unnasch explained. Leon County's Mask Mandate Will Stay In Place September 29, 2020 Leon County Libraries Handing Out Free Masks This Week June 24, 2020 Fight Over Leon County Mask Mandate Goes To Appeals Court August 5, 2020 To Mask, Or Not To Mask? We have seen other countries fall into a second surge that is actually global in nature right now, in terms of what's happening," warned Commissioner Kimberly Overman, who has been a staunch proponent of mask requirements. Ron DeSantis prevents the county from requiring any mandatory mask mandate. In July, he signed an executive order that banned districts from enacting mask mandates. "The Anti-Defamation League defamed us [without] having any facts behind it," Wilson said, emphasizing the word in an interview Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Commissioners acknowledged today that this is now the current situation. Several cities and large counties, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Hillsborough (which includes Tampa), had mask requirements, but Gov. Hillsborough EPG Makes Changes to Mask Mandate Tampa February 21, 2023 GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Contact Us.