TAMPA, FL — Whereas extra Floridians are getting again to work this week beneath Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Part 1 “Protected. Sensible. Step by Step” plan, Bay City Tattoo in Ybor Metropolis stays shuttered and its proprietor, Jeffrey Ziozios, more and more annoyed.
After talking on the final two Hillsborough County Emergency Coverage Group conferences, Ziozios mentioned he nonetheless has no phrase on when he’ll be capable of get again to enterprise.
“On March 25, the EPG voted 8-0 to begin the safer at dwelling order that did particularly title hair/nail salons, barbershops and tattoo parlors,” mentioned Ziozios.
Salons and barbershops since gotten the OK to reopen, he mentioned, however there’s been no phrase on the reopening of tattoos outlets.
When he questioned the policy-making group that features representatives of the Hillsborough County Fee, Sheriff’s Workplace, College Board and the mayors of every metropolis within the county, he was informed the choice is as much as the governor.
“If the EPG had the facility to shut us, then it stands to purpose that they need to be capable of allow us to open,” Ziozios protested.
He was put involved with County Lawyer Christine Beck who informed him that it was technically the governor who mandated the closures. Ziozios was informed to attraction to the governor’s workplace, which he did with no outcomes.
“On the very least, the EPG ought to contact the governor’s workplace on our behalf and assist us get again to work, the folks you might be sworn to guard,” Ziozios informed the EPG Monday. “The governor of Mississippi opened tattoo parlors at this time with particular new tips, and mentioned no job is nonessential that places meals on the desk. We’re approaching two months of being closed down with no finish in website. And I’m quickly getting near shedding the enterprise I’ve spent 22 years constructing.”
He mentioned there isn’t any extra danger of contracting coronavirus at a tattoo and physique piercing store than there may be at barbershops, hair salons and gymnasiums, all of which have reopened.
“Once we reopen it is going to be beneath the coronavirus tips that will associate with the protocol already in place by the Florida Well being Division concerning tattoos and physique piercings,” he mentioned.
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These embrace working by appointment with solely with the shopper and artist current. Prior to creating an appointment, Ziozios mentioned shoppers will obtain an on on-line session to maintain face time to a minimal, and will likely be requested to fill out a web based well being questionnaire one to 4 hours earlier than the appointment regarding their latest journey, whether or not they have coronavirus signs, if they have been involved with somebody who examined constructive for coronavirus previously 30 days and whether or not they have a compromised immune system or another well being issues.
As soon as they arrive, shoppers will likely be required to put on a protecting masks.
Ziozios mentioned the tattoo and physique piercing artists will likely be required to put on protecting masks, protecting eyeware and gloves, use disposable tools and medical obstacles, and disinfect all surfaces earlier than and after appointments.
Artists will then observe up with shoppers on their therapeutic course of one to 4 days after the appointment, then 5 to seven days and at last eight to twenty days.
“We additionally will proceed to function beneath all present guidelines and laws concerning tattoos and physique piercings beneath the well being division of Florida,” Ziozios informed the EPG. “I am asking you to assist us get this case straightened out so we will get again to work.”
To this point, Ziozios mentioned, the EPG has not responded to his request for assist.
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Whereas Ziozios and different tattoo store house owners watch their financial institution balances decline, the county’s eating places are welcoming again diners.
As of Monday, the governor allowed eating places to broaden from 25 to 50 p.c capability, nonetheless, bar counters stay closed.
Additionally permitted to function at 50 p.c capability are retail outlets, museums, libraries, gyms and health facilities.
Amusement parks and points of interest like ZooTampa and Busch Gardens are required to submit reopening plans to the governor’s workplace for approval earlier than they will welcome again visitors.
ZooTampa has achieved so and mentioned it can reopen June 1. Busch Gardens hasn’t introduced its reopening plans.
The Seminole Exhausting Rock Lodge & On line casino Tampa has obtained approval to reopen Thursday.
Nevertheless, film theaters, bars and nightclubs stay closed.
Moreover, the governor has given no phrase on when property managers will be capable of resume renting trip properties.
Though youth league and leisure enjoying fields stay closed, DeSantis has opened skilled sports activities venues for video games, occasions and coaching.
Additionally at Monday’s EPG assembly, Dr. Doug Holt, director of the Hillsborough County Florida Division of Well being, up to date the coverage group on the numbers of individuals examined for the coronavirus.
To this point, 15,420 folks within the county have been examined, a mean of 1,000 checks per day on the county’s 4 free testing websites. That represents about 2.7 p.c of the county’s inhabitants.
Previously three weeks, the county has additionally examined 2,300 residents at long-term care services in Hillsborough County.
He mentioned there are 30 long-term care services which have had at the very least one case of the coronavirus. In all, there have been 302 instances and 33 deaths.
This consists of the Bristol at Tampa Rehabilitation and Nursing Heart, which has had 15 residents die from the coronavirus, and Group Convalescent Heart the place six residents have died.
“It is vitally vital to notice that the general proportion of deaths is 10 p.c, which continues to be too excessive, however different components of the nation have seen 30 p.c,” he mentioned.
He added that the county is engaged on opening a transition website the place long-term care residents can go once they get better sufficiently to be launched from the hospital.
Total, Hillsborough County has 1,656 constructive instances of the coronavirus as of Monday, a rise of 125 since Thursday. And there have been 55 deaths, a rise of 11 from Thursday.
The county has 23 visitors at its resort isolation website and none at its resort quarantine website.
Be aware: The county’s totals differ from the Florida Department of Health coronavirus website, which has 1,613 constructive instances and 60 deaths.
The following EPG assembly is scheduled Thursday, Could 21 at 1:30 p.m.
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