TAILGATE TIME
Super Bowl fans in Tampa ignore Covid mask mandate and enjoy crowded bars & restaurants the night before big game
SUPER Bowl fans ignored Covid face mask rules as they packed into bars and started tailgate parties ahead of tonight's big game.
Pictures showed crowded restaurants and beer tents in Tampa, Florida, as the party got into full swing on Saturday night.
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Some fans camped out in RVs and tents outside the Raymond James Stadium, where music blared from 9pm.
Groups of fans gathered around fire pits and set up for the warm-up party.
Others headed to the city's packed Riverwalk and to watch a pirate-themed fireworks display.
Rockets and lasers erupted from a pirate ship anchored in the Hillsborough River in tribute to hometown heroes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They are the first side ever to play a Super Bowl at their home stadium.
Tonight they take on reigning champions the Kansas City Chiefs in , which kicks off at 6.30pm.
The party is expected to continue all day Sunday until the showpiece event this evening.
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Fans' spirits appeared not to be dampened by the Covid pandemic and many openly flouted social distancing rules.
On Saturday hundreds of people were seen mingling without face coverings in areas where the mayor has issued a mask mandate.
Visitors risk a $500 fine for breaching the rule imposed on January 28.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said at the time: "We need everyone to take personal responsibility to keep themselves, other fans and our Tampa Bay community safe."
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said last week he did not anticipate his officers would enforce Covid measures other than reminding people to keep their distance.
"We really don't want to get into being the mask police," he said.
'SUPERSPREADER WARNING'
But his force issued a stern statement yesterday after reports of Friday night parties that violated Covid protocols, saying the lack of compliance at some venues was "incredibly disappointing".
Rick Kriseman, mayor of nearby St Petersburg, was furious after pictures of maskless crowds partying shoulder to shoulder at 50 Cent's bash.
He blasted on Twitter: "This isn't how we should be celebrating the Super Bowl. It's not safe or smart. It's stupid.
"We're going to take a very close look at this, and it may end up costing someone a lot more than 50 cent."
Another glitzy bash in Tampa was a tropical pool party at the WTR Pool and Grill club - where Mike Tyson was spotted after .
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The nation's top health officials warned last week the Super Bowl could turn into a superspreader event driving infections and deaths.
They urged people to gather with friends over Zoom, not in crowds or at each other's homes.
Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said: "I'm worried about Super Bowl Sunday, quite honestly.
"People gather, they watch games together. We've seen outbreaks already from football parties.
"So, I really do think that we need to watch this and be careful."
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The Kansas City Chiefs flew into Tampa on Saturday without their assistant coach Britt Reid, who was involved in .
It cast a cloud over the reigning champions as they seek to defend their Super Bowl title led .
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