TAMPA, Florida – Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on Monday expressed frustration with those who do not comply with the executive order for wearing masks in certain outdoor areas of the city. The city handed out more than 200,000 masks, and places like Ybor City were full of masked crowds of partygoers and concert goers during the weekend’s Super Bowl festivities.
“It’s a little frustrating because we worked so hard in cooperation with the NFL and the county and just a number of different entities, implementing the executive order that masks had to be worn in specific areas that we knew the groups would come together,” said Castor, the former Tampa police chief.
These areas include outdoor areas near Raymond James Stadium, downtown Tampa and in entertainment districts, including Ybor City, Channel District (Channelside) and Central Business District. The order remains in force until February 13. This was in addition to the NFL requiring the wearing of masks all the time inside the stadium and NFL events, unless they are actively eating or drinking.
Before the Super Bowl, masks were only needed indoors. As of Sept. 25, as part of the state’s Phase 3 reopening plan, which allowed bars and restaurants to open at 100 percent capacity, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis has banned localities from collecting fines from people who don’t wear masks. . Castor disagreed with the governor in this regard, considering that local municipalities should establish the most appropriate rules for their cities and counties. She had also disagreed with the governor on reopening bars and breweries.
Some local jurisdictions, such as Miami – the state epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic – have fought DeSantis, but DeSantis has signed an executive order banning local governments from collecting fines from individuals, although private companies have been allowed to refuse. service to those who do not wear masks. But some believe that leadership over Castor, as well as a “vacation mentality,” have made Castor’s work more difficult.
“Yes, I saw some videos,” Castor said. “I saw some individuals not wearing a mask. And right now, when we are dealing with COVID-19, there is a level of frustration when you see this. It can be passed on to people who are least likely to recover safely from it. “
However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the city on Monday for wearing what the league considered a safe Super Bowl, calling it an “extraordinary effort” to host the event. Events that have been sanctioned by the NFL, including the NFL Experience, which has moved outdoors, and fireworks along the Riverwalk, have seen good compliance.
“Indeed, the top is – most individuals have understood the significance of wearing a mask,” Castor said. “They also understood their level of personal responsibility and we could not have been successful without it.”
“At this event a year ago, I don’t think any of us would have imagined the challenges we have to face,” Goodell said. “The can-do attitude of the people here [the Super Bowl LV host committee, Castor and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan] and so many others behind them – it was indeed an extraordinary effort. We always say “It’s a team game”. It was a great team up here. They really found a way to find solutions to difficult problems and they really showed that this community is a community that can make things happen. “
But the back gates of the stadium, malls, concerts, bars and NFL unaffiliated clubs ran into trouble.
Tom DeGeorge, owner of Crowbar, a venue for live music, concerts and events in Ybor City, has expressed frustration with other companies in his district that are not following orders. He saw how the NFL and the city put a lot of effort into Sunday’s Super Bowl production and the NFL Experience, but he wants local businesses to get more help to fight violations and manage crowds, while he believes that it was insufficient, despite the increased presence of the police.
“For months, you have had companies in the area say, ‘What are we going to do to increase traffic in our district to keep our people safe?’ “And it’s not really being addressed, that’s a problem,” DeGeorge said, adding that he saw a number of local companies violating ordinances, such as allowing dance floors and securing money. “You have to stop so much. “We can’t claim these problems, that when you have districts like Ybor and special events come to town, that we won’t be put in a situation where all health is in danger.”
“Those places were packed, these people were making a lot of money and I think it’s really unfair to everyone else,” DeGeorge said. “I just think that as a city, the story we wanted to get out and the way we wanted to present it is not necessarily what really happened here. And I think it’s unfortunate that we’re more concerned with PR than we are. about really taking care of our communities and the people who live here. It’s very unfortunate. And it will happen again when Wrestlemania comes along. “