ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Three Bay area counties have officially adopted some kind of mask ordinance.


What You Need To Know


And more are debating it.

In Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, people are now required to wear masks inside businesses in these counties if you can't maintain social distance.

Hillsborough County’s ordinance goes into effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Business owners could face 60 days in jail and up to $500 in fines if they don't force customers to wear masks.

Also starting at 5 in Pinellas, business owners and customers could face fines of $100 on a first offense, up to $500 on a third offense.

And in Pasco, the order is already in effect, but will not be enforced until Thursday.

Business owners will be responsible for enforcing the mask rule, with violators facing a $250 fine. 

These ordinances do not require you to wear masks inside businesses if you stay six feet away from other people and they all offer exemptions for people claiming medical conditions.

The Centers For Disease Control is expected to issue additional masks guidelines soon.

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