Emergency Policy Group Enacts Curfew for Tampa area

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group, a group of leaders from the county and various Cities in the Tampa area, has adopted a night time curfew that takes effect at 9:00 PM on Monday April 13, 2020. This after nearly 800 total cases have been confirmed in the area with over 40 cases being diagnosed each day in Tampa.

The curfew is from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. every night. It applied to all persons in Hillsborough County which borders Wesley Chapel. The group stressed that social visits and non-essential travel is prohibited.

Pasco County where 162+ locals are testing positive has still chosen not to take steps like those taken in nearby Hillsborough County and Pinellas County to protect its citizens from COVID-19.

A majority of the members of the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group (EPG) voted Monday afternoon to implement the curfew in response to reports that some people are disregarding the State and Hillsborough’s Safer-at-Home Orders, and are participating in large social gatherings.

Going to the grocery store, pharmacy, or to/from another essential activity, is still allowed during curfew hours. Otherwise, residents must stay off the streets. Social gatherings are not considered essential.

Also, EPG members endorsed the concept of an order mandating residents to wear face coverings while in public where they will interact with other people. This would include in stores, while using public transit, or running essential errands. EPG members asked that a draft of such an order, similar to one adopted in Osceola County, be prepared for review and implementation at their next meeting on Thursday, April 16.

The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group is comprised of three County Commissioners, the mayors from the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, the Sheriff, and Chairman of the School Board.

More information is available in out COVID-19 in Wesley Chapel Info Page.