Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan issued an emergency declaration that could mean fines and closures for businesses that aren't complying with state-imposed restrictions. Vaughn outlined the measure at a COVID-19 press conference with Governor Roy Cooper.
Greensboro's emergency declaration went into effect on Friday. It reinforces the governor's recent executive orders, which require the use of face-coverings and reduces the occupancy limits for most indoor activities.
The measure says offices and businesses could be fined $100 for each person over the occupancy limit. Violators could also face closures ranging from 24 to 72 hours depending on how many times a citation has been issued. Various city departments have been authorized to issue the civil penalty. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan says the first violation will result in a warning.
“Many business owners have expressed to me their fear of another shutdown. I don't want that either," says Vaughan. "I want to keep them in business. I want our kids to go back to school. But we must work together to change the trajectory of our numbers.”
COVID-19 cases are climbing in the Triad. Cone Health says hospitalizations have more than doubled in the last three weeks. On Monday, it reported a record 133 hospitalizations.
City leaders in Winston-Salem say they're also evaluating options for a possible emergency declaration.
According to the Greensboro order, offices and businesses should be in compliance with, among other things, the following specific requirements:
- Applicable capacity limits clearly marked at all entrances
- Compliance with such capacity limitations
- Signage on all entrances giving notice that face covering, over mouth and nose, is a requirement to gain admission to any such office or business
- All employees who interact with the general public wearing a face covering
- Any employee who cannot maintain social distance from other employees consistently must wear a face covering
- Social distancing must be maintained as per the Governor's order
- Hand sanitizer must be provided
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