As the state of Florida surpasses 20,000 deaths, the City of Tampa will ring the bell of Old City Hall 20 times at sundown on Wednesday (around 5:37 p.m.), December 16th and will light up the City of Tampa blue in support of frontline workers and to remind everyone that they should still wear a mask.
“Public safety is our number one priority in the Tampa Bay region and as our COVID numbers continue to rise we must all do our part to bring awareness to the simple safety measures that are proven successful in flattening the curve,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “We encourage everyone across the region (including members of the media) to wear blue tomorrow. We can’t wait to celebrate the holidays together next year, even if we have to be apart for a little while more.”
Show your support for frontline workers in Tampa
Officials encourage residents to take a selfie wearing blue and tag the City of Tampa (@cityoftampa).
Old City Hall is located at 306 E. Jackson St. in downtown Tampa.
The City of Tampa is also hoping to encourage folks to be safe during the holiday season with a new #HappyAtHomeTPA Campaign.
The campaign features a series of graphics and video PSAs designed to remind the public of the importance of practicing COVID-19 safety while celebrating the holiday festivities. The campaign also calls for the public to share how they are celebrating the holiday season from their own homes or with safe activities throughout the City.
Taking the proper safety precautions to protect one another
Most importantly, the campaign offers guidelines (sourced from the CDC) on how the public can celebrate the holidays safely by wearing a mask, avoiding large gatherings, rethinking travel plans, and more. With new cases of COVID-19 rising across the country, the actions individuals take over the next few weeks could have a major impact on the level of community spread in Tampa.
“This holiday season, we want folks to remember what truly matters: the health and wellbeing of ourselves and those we love most,” says Mayor Jane Castor. “No one wants to start the new year feeling sick, in a hospital, or potentially on a ventilator. By being responsible and celebrating the holidays safely from home, we can protect our family members, our friends, our neighbors and our community. While ‘home for the holidays’ may look different this year, we are lucky that there are so many great ways to celebrate the season here in Tampa.”
Myriad campaigns to promote safety in the city
In addition to the #HappyAtHomeTPA holiday campaign, the City of Tampa has also launched other COVID-19 safety initiatives, including:
- “Choose Your Mask” guerilla marketing posters (created in partnership with Chappell Roberts)
- Variable Message Boards on major roadways
- Partnership with Tampa General Hospital to elevate stories from the frontline of COVID-19
- A “Get in the Game” video PSA with local sports teams
- Distribution of 518,625 free face coverings to the community
- A #FaceTheFactsTPA influencer campaign and face mask decorating competition to encourage the use of face masks
- #HappyAtHomeTPA videos throughout the year from Tampa Parks & Recreation
- Stencils, posters, billboards, and signs across the city with COVID-19 safety messaging and messaging to thank healthcare workers
- Weekly Facebook lives with Mayor Castor and various health experts, community leaders, social service providers, and others
- And more
For information on COVID-19 and local resources, visit: tampagov.net/COVID-19.
Keep an eye out for more ways we’re staying #HappyAtHomeTPA. Watch ‘Twas a Week Before Christmas here.