The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group voted to require the wearing of face coverings, with certain exceptions, inside businesses that are open to the public and where employees and customers aren’t able to maintain social distancing after hearing presentations from several public health officials, medical doctors, and hospital leaders.
The order is effective immediately, with the exception of the enforcement provisions which go into effect at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
Please be aware, as a business owner/operator, you are responsible to ensure your employees and customers are following this new requirement.
The new executive order requires that all persons within any indoor location of a business that is open to the public in Hillsborough County shall be required to wear a face covering when not maintaining social distancing from other people, excluding family members or others residing in their home. “Business” means any business entity that provides goods or services directly to the public. Business operators will be responsible for ensuring compliance.
The order provides exceptions for:
- Children under the age of 2
- Persons observing social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines
- Persons for whom a face covering would cause 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 will be governed by their respective agencies
- The requirement shall not apply when a person who is hearing-impaired needs to see the mouth of someone wearing a face covering in order to communicate
- The requirement shall not be applied in a manner that would conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act
