Free masks available in Hillsborough

TAMPA — Hillsborough County is distributing free, reusable cloth face coverings at four parks.

The masks are available at: E.G. Simmons Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin; Upper Tampa Bay Park, 8001 Double Branch Road, Tampa; Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz and Lithia Springs Park, 3932 Lithia Springs Road, Lithia.

The sites will be open, as long as supplies, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Next week, masks will be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Each person in the vehicle will receive two face coverings. Drivers may also request face coverings for immediate family members not present.

Hillsborough County’s Office of Emergency Management ordered 2 million cloth face coverings from the state of Florida for public distribution. Emergency Management already has issued approximately 950,000 of the reusable coverings to the municipalities, HART, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and other public agencies, the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, and non-profit and charitable organizations, to assist in distributing to residents.

The distribution began two days after the Hillsborough County’s Emergency Policy Group approved an order requiring face coverings be worn inside businesses open to the public, with certain exceptions. The order applies to customers and employees inside Hillsborough County businesses that open to the public and unable to maintain social distancing.

• • •

Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage

HOW CORONAVIRUS IS SPREADING IN FLORIDA: Find the latest numbers for your county, city or zip code.

THE CORONAVIRUS SCRAPBOOK: We collected your stories, pictures, songs, recipes, journals and more to show what life has been like during the pandemic.

SO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR HOUSE? Read these 10 tips first

UNEMPLOYMENT Q&A: We answer your questions about Florida unemployment benefits

GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.

HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips

We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.