Masks no longer required, but still recommended in indoor public places in Pasco

Pasco Recommends Face Coverings; Rescinds Executive Order

Pasco County Government is recommending the continued use of face coverings in most indoor public places where social distancing cannot be maintained; however, effective immediately, the county is issuing Executive Order 20-10, rescinding the previous Executive Order requiring face coverings.*

In deciding to relax face covering requirements, Pasco County weighed several factors, including lower COVID-19 hospitalization rates and increasing vaccination rates.

Pasco County hospitalization rates for patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms have been steadily dropping over the past several weeks, increasing the number of available hospital beds for anyone who needs them.  Seventy percent of Pasco County residents 65 and older have been vaccinated, and 57 percent of Pasco residents 50 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of today, Monday, April 5, all adults in the state of Florida are eligible for the vaccine.  You can register for your shot online through the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco).  Various community partners – including retail pharmacies, hospital systems and doctor’s offices – are also offering vaccines.  You can find a vaccination site near you on the Florida Department of Health Vaccine Locator webpage.

*Please note, face coverings are still required on all Pasco County Public Transportation buses per Transportation and Security Administration requirements.  Additionally, the lifting of this order does not apply to entities outside the control of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners, including schools and courthouses.

Pasco County’s Face Coverings Order was issued in June 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Leading public health agencies still recommend face coverings, social distancing and frequent handwashing to protect you from COVID-19.  Pasco County strongly encourages you to continue wearing face coverings in indoor public places, where you are not able to maintain social distancing.