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Masks will be required at large-scale events in St. Pete starting Feb. 1

This is part of the new city executive order establishing new requirements for events with more than 250 people.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With just a little more than a week until Super Bowl LV and coronavirus cases still on the rise in Florida, St. Pete aims to control the spread at large events of more than 250 people through a new executive order effective Feb. 1.

"Here we are in the middle of a pandemic and so the real question is, 'do you cancel all events, or is there a way of allowing events to take place, but do so where those who are attending the event, and those who are working the event can do so safely?" said St. Petersburg Mayor Kriseman.

For Kriseman, the answer is, yes.

He said the order will require organizers to submit a COVID-19 safety plan before holding their event. The plan must be approved, along with any necessary permits, by the city before any event can happen.

These safety plans can be specific to each event, but all of them have to include the following safety requirements:

Mandatory face coverings

Face masks have to be worn by everyone in attendance, including staff.

Social distancing

This means that event organizers will have to limit the number of people allowed at an event based on the amount of space in the venue. Everyone should be able to keep a minimum 6-foot distance between each other.

Symptom screenings

Organizers have to screen staff and attendees for COVID-19 symptoms before entering an event. 

Sanitation and disinfection

Event organizers have to develop a system of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces on a regular basis throughout the event.

Kriseman said, while the Super Bowl is a large-scale event that raises concerns amid the pandemic, the city has been considering implementing measures for some time.

"We've been talking about this because our numbers were not where we wanted them to be," he said. "And the holiday season, people were not so good at maintaining social distancing at wearing their masks and avoiding gatherings...and as a result of that we saw spikes in our numbers."

Kriseman said he hopes this new effort will help twart more unnecessary spikes and super spreader events. 

"We looked at this as just another tool to try and get that number down to make it safer for everyone to reduce our strain on our hospitals and prevent the strain on our hospitals from happening--and most importantly, to prevent people from dying," said Kriseman.

St. Pete's new order expands on existing requirements already put in place by Pinellas County, but lowers the number that defines large-scale event from 1,000 to 250. 

For details and exceptions, you can read the full order here.

As COVID-19 continues to pose a danger to our public health, these rules are subject to change. If you're planning on holding an event, visit the St. Petersburg Race to Safe page for all the latest information. 

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