New Children's Age Requirement To Wear Masks In County

BLOOMINGDALE-RIVERVIEW — The age requirement for children to wear a face covering to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus has lowered in Hillsborough County after a vote from the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners on Thursday were majority in favor, a news release said.

The new requirement face coverings mandate applies to children 5 years of age and older, said the County.

The original order exempted children under the age of 8.

Also, a majority of commissioners voted in favor of keeping the face coverings order in effect throughout the coronavirus state of local emergency unless rescinded or amended, eliminating the necessity of revisiting the order weekly.

Other discussions in Thursday's meeting, according to the County included:

• Several commissioners expressed deep concern over this afternoon’s announcement from the Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent that brick and mortar schools will open on Aug. 31.
• Commissioners extended the state of local emergency enacted in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Emergency management director Tim Dudley said that because of a continuing decrease in the demand for coronavirus testing, the days/hours of operations at three public testing sites are being scaled back. Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, testing sites at the Lee Davis and Plant City Community Service Centers will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The testing site at the SouthShore Community Service Center will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.