Tampa mayor says maskless NFL fans will be ‘identified’, police will ‘handle it’

FILE – Signs that stress fans to wear a face mask are seen before an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Octavio Jones, File)

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UPDATED 11:36 AM PT – Monday, February 8, 2021

A Florida mayor has threatened to get law enforcement involved over COVID-19 safety measure violations at the Super Bowl. During a press conference Monday, Democrat Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the few who didn’t wear a mask at Sunday’s game will be identified.

The National Football League (NFL) limited the number of people allowed inside the Raymond James Stadium to under 25,000, which is about a third of the venue’s capacity. It also required guests to socially distancing and wear masks.

Even though the city’s mayor admitted nearly everyone she saw was following the rules, she still has plans to go after people who didn’t.

“You know, we we had tens of thousands of people all over this city downtown out by the stadium, Ybor City, down here in Channelside and very, very few incidents,” Castor  stated. “So, I’m proud of our community, but those few bad actors will be identified and the Tampa Police Department will handle it.”

What @TampaPD Chief Brian Dugan has to say about crowded Super Bowl celebrations. @SteveNewborn3 https://t.co/9s8IxAnT0k pic.twitter.com/5vGsfljomy

— WUSF (@wusf) February 8, 2021

Meanwhile, Florida health officials said over the weekend nearly 668,000 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Fans social distance during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor signed an executive order Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, saying masks must be worn outside while downtown, in neighborhoods around Raymond James Stadium. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes)

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