ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pinellas County Commissioners voted on Thursday to extend the local state of emergency – and with that, the county's mask ordinance.
Face coverings have been required in the county for the last three months, and testing positivity rates have dropped below five percent.
What You Need To Know
- Pinellas County commissioners extended mask ordinance
- No date set for future vote
- PREVIOUS STORY: Pinellas County Commission Approves Mask Mandate (June 23)
Officials said hundreds of residents had contacted the county or spoke during recent meetings about the mask requirement.
But, once word of a possible end of the mandate got out, many people in favor of the ordinance voiced their opinions, according to commissioners.
“We’ve heard a lot from some very vocal people and just in the last week I mean we’ve literally gotten hundreds," said Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard. "I lost count at about 400 but I know its much more than that now of people who want us to keep the mask ordinance.”
At Thursday's meeting, commissioners reviewed infection numbers and hospital capacity before casting their votes.
Even when they eventually decide to lift the mandate, face covering rules at public schools will not be affected. Those are governed by the Pinellas County School Board and will stay in place for now.
Sign up now for one of our newsletters that will show up in your inbox every weekday at 1 p.m. The newsletters highlight the most important stories of the day that you need to know for your area.