The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has spoken with leaders at The River at Tampa Bay Church regarding Sunday’s services that were held in direct violation of the President’s guidelines for America, recommendations made by the CDC, and orders from the Governor and the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group.
The Hillsborough County Safer-At-Home Order, entered on March 27, 2020, and Executive Order 20-05, entered on March 20, 2020, limit gatherings, including faith-based gatherings, to less than 10 people.
The Sheriff’s Office has advised church leaders of the danger they are putting themselves and their congregation in by not maintaining appropriate social distancing at a time when COVID-19 cases are unfortunately still on the rise in Hillsborough County.
Attorneys for the church are in direct contact with HCSO attorneys. We are working to determine how compliance can be achieved to keep the public safe under these extraordinary conditions, and we hope to resolve this matter quickly.
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