Commissioner Amy Lockhart was behind the proposal to do away with the mask mandate and said government mandates shouldnt be in place indefinitely. But after 40 days without a mandate, the sky has not fallen, but their COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths have. Sign up for daily emails with local updates and other important news. Seminole County Public Schools require students to wear masks unless their parents out them out, a rule adopted as schools opened last month amidst a surge of COVID-19 cases. ARE RESTAURANT STAFF REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS/FACIAL COVERINGS? Si vous ne souhaitez pas que nos partenaires et nousmmes utilisions des cookies et vos donnes personnelles pour ces motifs supplmentaires, cliquez sur Refuser tout. ARE RESTAURANT PATRONS REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS/FACIAL COVERINGS? If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Pasco, Okaloosa and St Lucie Counties, and the City of Jacksonville, recently ended their mask mandates. After so much hardship and pain, people need hope. "While benchmarks for success are hard to gauge, the experts said recent transmission and infection numbers are trending in the wrong direction, so change now is too soon. Good news! >> IF WE DONT DEVELOP A STEP DOWN PLAN FOR OUR COMMUNITY, THEYRE GOING TO CREATE ONE FOR THEMSELVES, AND THAT MIGHT PUT US IN A MUCH MORE TEDIOUS SITUATION. Keeping communication lines open, said Wight. WE NEED TO BE WEARING MASKS. We have seen the ebbs and flows as people congregate and gather together, Walsh said. Come Saturday, covering your face in public will no longer be a requirement across the state. Seminole County officials have begun having discussions about when mask mandates and other COVID-19 rules could be lifted. At Tuesday's meeting, they let county commissioners know how they feel. A divided Seminole County commission voted on Tuesday not to drop its mask ordinance but will review the controversial policy in 30 days. While benchmarks for success are hard to gauge, the experts said recent transmission and infection numbers are trending in the wrong direction, so change now is too soon. Ifsocialdistancing can be accomplished by maintaining at least six (6) feet distance between individuals at an outdoor business, place of assembly, or public place in Seminole County, a mask is not required. The Department of Health reported 5,266 additional coronavirus cases statewide Monday, bringing the total to 146,341. Seminole County leaders discuss future of mask mandate. We need to believe that we still have a pandemic because we do. H\@w+0^K>Gq R>St{v2a2kpc)\.YYZ I'Eaq6iSxNoc_IaLf4TL:NX+}nCU.! 0000032848 00000 n 0000004749 00000 n When in a queue to order or before being seated at a table, masks must be worn. As we approach the one-year anniversary of Seminole Countys emergency mandatory mask order, I believe it is time to join other local governments in ending our mask mandate and instead pass a resolution encouraging residents to wear masks. C:MRCC53HX0Q*yAY*M:x96 ^;X7o8a_vPyZ'?s3\p7UZs?tB7R=` T wC/HdjWTyHZ6L.c)0OXO#cD8aNSffrt+e 3y/g.K(|d=A|.g`gg`gg`gg`gg`gg`gg`gg`gg`a-e.yO]RWhg4E~ # When in a place of assembly, business, or other places open to the public in Seminole County, individuals are required to maintainsocialdistancing. The order says people working, living, visiting or doing business in Seminole County will be required to wear a face covering consistent with CDC guidelines while at all businesses, places of assembly and other places open to the public. 0000033226 00000 n In March, Gov. Worn properly, masks do work. >> IF WE DO THE MASKS, WE KEEP IT DOWN. 0000004640 00000 n In July, demonstrators marched through downtown Sanford to protest a Seminole County order requiring people to wear masks in response to the spike in coronavirus cases. This is applicable to servers, hostesses, kitchen staff, and any employee or contractor at the business. When in a queue to order or before being seated at a table, masks must be worn. Without question, the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most difficult experiences any of us have faced. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - The debate over whether to wear a mask in Seminole County is heating up again after an argument during the Seminole County Commission meeting Tuesday morning.. <]/Prev 51617/XRefStm 1320>> >> UNTIL THE VACCINE IS MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE, AND A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED, WEARING MASKS WILL STILL BE THE -- WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE BEST TOOL WE HAVE FOR STOPPING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN THE COMMUNITY. 0000027672 00000 n Commissioner Jay Zembower, who introduced the motion to keep the mandate in place, said his vote was made with public safety in mind, not politics. Additionally, the motion passing means that the mask mandate will remain in place unless 50% of the countys eligible population has been vaccinated and the county sees 30 days of a decline in COVID-19 transmission, or if the countys medical experts recommend it. mesurer votre utilisation de nos sites et applications. Seminole County joins Orange and Osceola counties and the city of Daytona Beach as the areas in Central Florida requiring the usage of a face covering. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WESH-TV. Seminole County requires the use of masks for individuals at a business, restaurants included. %%EOF By removing our mask mandate, we can give Seminole County residents some hope that we are finally turning the corner on this pandemic. LIVE IN SANFORD THIS MORNING. This is applicable to servers, hostesses, kitchen staff, and any employee or contractor at the business. Seminole County has reported 2,506 total positive cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The statewide positivity rate is at 11.5% compared to 7.8% a week ago. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. On Tuesday, Seminole County commissioners voted on whether or not they were going to lift the county's mask mandate by June 7. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news. Jeff Levkulich joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in June 2015. =#^ 'q(_f/8E2q N?E,dL4 0000043863 00000 n 0000044622 00000 n Everything you need to know about Florida's theme parks and the all-new Attractions Insider podcast! UFO? Cheryl Bryant wants the county to end the facial covering requirement. "We are seeing more and more days of more than 100 new cases a day.". SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - A mandate requiring face masks in public places in Seminole County goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday. xref Commissioner Amy Lockhart wants criteria in place that would designate progress toward success in the battle against COVID-19, and then the possibility of relaxing some rules. "I'm telling you it's not the flu, it is not a conspiracy theory and it is not politically-driven.". Orange and Seminole counties instituted a 30-day mask mandate for schools for the start of the school year Parents can opt out of the mandate in both counties, if they choose Orange. >=XBIs1k*c,zGS9. "A lot of people think that this is politically-driven, a lot of people think this is some kind of conspiracy, they think it's the flu," said Seminole County Commission Chairman Jay Zembower. 0000000016 00000 n Whether customers are for facial coverings or against them, Wight hopes everyone remains respectful. When in a place of assembly, business, or other places open to the public in Seminole County, individuals are required to maintainsocialdistancing. 0000027851 00000 n COUNTY. Ifsocialdistancing can be accomplished by maintaining at least six (6) feet distance between individuals at an outdoor business, place of assembly, or public place in Seminole County, a mask is not required. F A Q SEMINOLE COUNT EXECUTIVE ORDER COVID 19 AND THE USE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING FACE COVERINGS By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. "I'm not screaming about removing the masks, I'm saying let's take a measured approach," Lockhart said. Eight hundred appointments quickly filled up for a vaccination event at Winter Springs High School on Saturday, the first event targeted to younger age groups according to Seminole County officials. Leaders in Seminole County are opening a first-of-its-kind treatment center designed to help coronavirus patients. "We're still in emergency mode here," said Kevin Baker with the Florida Department of Health. Some may worry this change will mean our citizens will no longer wear masks when necessary, but that is not the case. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus. It goes into effect on Wednesday. Every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in Seminole County is subject to the Executive Order. A county commissioner writes that it's time to lift that mandate. Less than half the county is vaccinated, and we just want to wait, said Wight. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WESH-TV. "A lot of people think that this is politically-driven, a lot of people think this is some kind of conspiracy, they think it's the flu," said Seminole County Commission Chairman Jay Zembower. We need to allow professionals and families to determine what their risk level is, Lockhart said. What are those two bright lights in the Florida sky? Its appropriate that we allow people the latitude to make the decisions that are best for them, she said. In July, demonstrators marched through downtown Sanford to protest a Seminole County order requiring people to wear masks in response to the spike in coronavirus cases. As part of the 3-2 vote, commissioners also voted to end the mandate once 50% of the county's eligible population is fully vaccinated. Broadway in Orlando: Dr. Phillips Center announces lineup for next season, FHP: US-192 shut down after 3 killed in crash in Osceola County, Matanzas High teen accused of beating teacher's aide over Nintendo Switch pleads not guilty, These dogs and cats are up for adoption in Central Florida, Monster Jam, Orlando City soccer, Blake Shelton: Orlando preparing for big crowds this weekend, This Florida gem is the state's oldest restaurant -- and it takes up an entire city block, Matanzas High teacher's aide allegedly attacked by student says 'I never took the Nintendo Switch from him'. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Seminole County officials are preparing for over-capacity crowds on Tuesday when the Board of County Commissioners will vote to end the county's mandatory mask order on June 7. Ron DeSantis eliminated penalties included in municipal mask mandates. Utah County, Provo drop mask mandate-but masks still required most places. We require masks for all guests, and we also require social distancing just to keep everybody safe, said gallery manager Bailey Wight. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The county released answers to what may be possible questions from residents and visitors about the executive order: WHEN DO INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO REMAIN 6 APART FROM OTHERS? WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR PERSONAL SERVICES OR BUSINESSES WHERESOCIALDISTANCING CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED? Seminole County Publishing Copyright 2023. WHAT MEASURES ARE BUSINESSES REQUIRED TO TAKE? >> FACIAL MASKS AND COVERINGS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING WORKS, AND IF PEOPLE DO IT, WE CAN SAVE LIVES. Fully vaccinated people have a 0.008% chance of infection according to the CDC. Pinellas County will vote on its mandate in May.