Masks most frequent target of complaints
The Delaware Division of Public Health plans to step up enforcement of the governor’s Executive Order related to businesses complying with coronavirus restrictions.
Jamie Mack of the Delaware Division of Public Health said 1,000 complaints have been received, with about 300 on-site visits. Of that number, about 100 were found to be in full compliance.
The most common complaints involve employees not wearing face coverings.
Mack said the division has the power to levy fines, limit capacity and even ordering the establishment to be immediately closed. Compliance tends to improve once the possible penalties are communicated.
“Our objective is not to close businesses, but to open them up,” said Gov. John Carney.
Carney said Delaware appears to be moving toward a hybrid school opening format with an emphasis in getting elementary school students into the classroom. The hybrid format would blend online and in-class instruction.
Delaware remains in what Carney describes as the yellow zone between red and green.
Carney again pleaded with Delaware residents to continue to wear face coverings so the state can move to the less restrictive green zone that would allow more flexibility at schools.
Dr. Rick Hong of the Division of Public Health said school administrators should assume that cases will occur. That does not mean the entire school will not be shut down, due to one case.
Hong also touched on the issue of people with medical conditions who cannot wear facemasks.
According to Hong, people who cannot wear masks for such reasons should seriously consider the safety of being in public places. He noted that people who cannot wear masks for medical reasons often have underlying condiions that could make them vulnerable to Covid-19.
