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Throngs of maskless fans celebrate Tampa Bay's Super Bowl win

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Posted at 10:29 AM, Feb 08, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-08 10:29:54-05

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — So much for the mayor's order requiring masks at Super Bowl parties.

Throngs of mostly maskless fans took to the streets and packed sports bars across Tampa as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the hometown championship.

Inside the stadium, the NFL had capped Sunday night's crowd at less than a third of capacity.

But outside, few fans seemed to care about the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing was abandoned in the streets and sports bars as fans celebrated their team's 31-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Many ignored the executive order signed by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor requiring face coverings at Super Bowl festivities.

ABC Action News reported on large crowds and Super Bowl parties all weekend leading up to the game, and it was even more prominent after the Bucs sealed the deal Sunday night.

Mayor Jane Castor was asked about the celebrations where many were seen without masks.

"It's a little frustrating because we've worked so hard in cooperation with the NFL and the county...putting the executive order in place that masks had to be worn in specific areas that we knew groups would be congregating," she said. "Yes, we did see some videos, did see some individuals that weren't wearing a mask. At this point in dealing with COVID-19, there is a level of frustration when you see that."