Pinellas mask mandate still in place, virtual meeting authorization set to expire
September 28, 2020 - The executive order Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Friday, moving the state into Phase 3 of the governor's reopening plan and allowing restaurants statewide to operate at full capacity, does not impact a Pinellas County ordinance requiring face coverings while indoors in public places. The ordinance remains in effect, the county said in a news release. There are several exceptions such as exercising and singing in church, provided participants are social distanced; see the full list of exceptions here. The ordinance has specific requirements for bars and restaurants that also remain in effect, including a requirement that patrons must be seated to be served drinks for on-site consumption and that patrons must wear a face covering except when seated and consuming food or a drink and distanced six feet from other parties. The governor's order on Friday did not address public meetings. An earlier order from DeSantis, authorizing virtual or online public meetings, is set to expire at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Both the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and the St. Petersburg City Council have been holding virtual online meetings, but the Pinellas County Board plans an in-person work session on Thursday. The St. Petersburg City Council has not yet said if its Thursday meeting will be in person or online.