TAMPA, Florida. – Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on Monday expressed frustration with people who did not follow her executive order to wear masks in certain areas outside 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 Super Bowl festivities.
“It’s a little frustrating because we’ve worked a lot in collaboration with the NFL and the county and with several different entities, establishing the executive order that masks should be worn in specific areas that we knew groups would meet,” he said. Beaver, the former Tampa police chief.
These areas included outdoor areas close to Raymond James Stadium, downtown Tampa, and entertainment districts, including Ybor City, the Canal District (Channelside), and the Central Business District. The order remains in effect until February 13th. In addition, the NFL required that masks be worn at all times within the stadium and NFL events unless they were actively eating or drinking.
Before the Super Bowl, masks were only needed inside. As of Sept. 25, as part of the state’s Phase 3 reopening plan to open bars and restaurants at 100% capacity, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis banned localities from collecting. of fines to people who did not wear masks. Castor disagreed with the governor on the matter, believing that local municipalities should determine the most appropriate rules for their cities and counties. He had also previously disagreed with the governor over the reopening of bars and breweries.
Some local jurisdictions, such as Miami, the state epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, fought DeSantis, but DeSantis signed an executive order banning local governments from collecting fines from individuals, even though companies private individuals have had the right to deny service to those who do not wear masks. But some believe that leadership over Castor, as well as the “holiday mentality,” hampered Castor’s work.
“Yeah, we’ve seen some videos,” Castor said. “We saw some people not wearing a mask. And right now, when it comes to COVID-19, there’s a certain level of frustration when you see this. It can be transmitted to those people who are less likely to recover safely. “.
Still, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday praised the city for putting what the league considered a safe Super Bowl, and described it as an “extraordinary effort” to host the event. Events that were sanctioned by the NFL, including the NFL Experience, which moved outdoors, and fireworks along the Riverwalk, saw good fulfillment.
“Really, the positive part is that most people understood the importance of wearing a mask,” Castor said. “They also understood their level of personal responsibility and without that we could not have succeeded.”
“At this event a year ago, I don’t think any of us would have imagined the challenges we will have to face,” Goodell said. “The attitude of the people here able to do [the Super Bowl LV host committee, Castor and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan] and so many others behind them: it was truly an extraordinary effort. We always say, “It’s a team game.” Here was a great team. They really found a way to find solutions to difficult problems and they showed that this community is a community that can make things happen. “
But the back doors of the stadium, malls, concerts, bars and clubs not affiliated with the NFL experienced problems.
Tom DeGeorge, owner of Crowbar, a venue for live music, concerts and events in Ybor City, expressed frustration at other businesses in his district for not fulfilling orders. He saw how the NFL and the city put a lot of effort into producing the Super Bowl on Sunday and the NFL Experience, but he wished local businesses could get more help to crack down on infractions and manage crowds, as he felt it was insufficient. despite an increased police presence.
“For months, you have companies in the area saying,‘ What are we going to do with the overflow of traffic in our district to keep our people safe? “And it’s not really being treated, that’s a problem,” DeGeorge said, adding that he saw a number of local companies violating ordinances, such as allowing dance floors and putting money above safety. . “You have to stop a lot of people from coming. We can’t expect these problems, that when you have districts like Ybor and special events come to town, we won’t put ourselves in a situation where all of our health is at risk.”
“Those places were full, those people were making a lot of money and I just think it’s really unfair to everyone,” DeGeorge said. “I just think that as a city, the story we wanted to get out and the way we wanted to portray it isn’t necessarily what really happened here. And I think it’s unfortunate that we care more about the public relations that we care about. really our communities and the people who live here. It’s very unfortunate. And it will happen again when Wrestlemania appears. “