Coronavirus: Hillsborough Says Nonessential Businesses Must Close

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Businesses that do not provide an essential service to the public in Hillsborough County must close.

That was the mandate handed down by the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group during Monday's teleconference.

While nonessential businesses must close their physical storefronts and offices, they can still operate from home and deliver products if possible, said Hillsborough County Attorney Christine Beck.

She said the change is consistent with Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order number 20-91. Previously, the county was allowing nonessential businesses to remain open provided they met social distancing guidelines.

"We have to do what the governor orders, but we're about to make some other people unemployed," said Les Miller, chairman of the policy group.

While the governor's order clearly lays out what constitutes an essential service, the definition of a nonessential service is murkier.

They include:

• Barber shops
• Hair salons
• Nail salons
• Spas
• Massage businesses
• Theaters
• Gyms and recreation centers
• Museums
• Casinos and racetracks
• Shopping malls
• Bowling alleys
• Sporting and concert venues

Those who violate the order are subject to a second-degree misdemeanor charge.

The policy group also asked Dr. Douglas Holt, Department of Health-Hillsborough director, to clear up the advantages of using a surgical mask when out in public.

Initially, the DOH told the public not to wear surgical masks. However, last week President Donald Trump recommended the wearing of a mask or scarf.

"I certainly wouldn’t demonize anyone for wearing a mask," said Holt. "The CDC is recommending that people wear them in public, and over the weekend I noticed a large percentage of people acting on that already."

He said the mask can reduce the spread of coronavirus through coughs or sneezes by people who are asymptomatic (people who may have the coronavirus but don't have symptoms).

"I think they’re doing a good service to reduce the risk and protect others," said Holt.

The Emergency Policy Group also agreed to ask the governor's office to clarify his order halting foreclosures and residential evictions for 45 days.

Hillsborough County Commission Sandra Murman said she's heard from a number of business owners that are being evicted from their offices and storefronts by landlords.

Hillsborough County Chief Judge Ronald Ficarrotta ordered that all evictions be put on hold until April 20. But the governor's order seems to apply only to residential rents, she said.

While residents can't be evicted under the governor's order, Miller said his office is being inundated with phone calls from residents who have lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and have received letters from their landlords announcing rental increases.

Beck said she didn't recall the governor addressing rental increases and will ask the governor's office to clarify the issue.

Murman, however, said no clarification is needed.

"The raising of rent during this time is considered price gouging and needs to be reported," she said, calling the actions of these landlords "unconscionable."

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated the state's price-gouging hotline and encourages residents to report anyone suspected of taking advantage of the public by raising rates for essential services and commodities during the pandemic to call 866-9NO-SCAM.

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Other updates during the teleconference included:

• As of Monday, 38 people in Hillsborough County have been hospitalized with the coronavirus. Fourteen are in intensive care and 10 are on ventilators.
• There are now six people in isolation at one hotel and one in quarantine at another hotel being leased by the county to house coronavirus victims.
• Spectrum has set up 500 additional hot spots in areas of the county with connectivity problems and is offering free service to any family with a child for online learning lessons.
• To date, the Hillsborough County School District has distributed 35,000 electronic devices to children who don't have a computer at home and has ordered another 40,000.
• Those students who are still having problems connecting to online learning sites can pick up homework packages at their schools containing a week's worth of school work.