Take off your dancing shoes because Hillsborough County commissioners just voted 5-2 to expand mask restrictions and tighten up on bars and nightclubs.
The vote—where Commissioners Ken Hagan and Stacy White voted no—ushered in an expansion of Hillsborough County’s mask mandate which has been in place since June.
As it stood, folks inside businesses had to wear masks or face coverings when they were unable to practice social distancing, but there was an exception for people who are eating or drinking. The change, which is effective immediately, says folks must also be seated—not standing—if they want to take off their mask to eat or drink (I’ve yet to see anyone eat or drink while keeping their mask on).
What’s more is that commissioners—on a separate 5-2 vote—disallowed congregation areas in nightclubs, meaning folks cannot get together on dance floors.
This is a developing story.
In a release sent Wednesday afternoon, Hillsborough County's communications and digital media team wrote, in part:
Customers must be seated while eating or drinking in local businesses, and congregating in common areas such as dance floors unless waiting to be seated will be prohibited under changes approved Wednesday by Hillsborough County commissioners.
The changes to the County's face coverings order were approved by a majority of commissioners and affect businesses such as restaurants, nightclubs and bars that serve food or drinks for on-site consumption. Under the amended order, patrons cannot be served while standing in a bar or common area, and standing at the bar is prohibited. The changes also prohibit congregation in common areas unless waiting to be seated and observing social distancing. The revisions to the face covering order take effect immediately.
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