Daviess county considers options on mandate enforcement as county goes red

Commissioners are discussing enforcement that could lead to violating businesses being shut down for 24 hours.

Are in the red.

Daviess county is one of them.

Its designation comes after weeks of working to get the virus under control.

For two weeks... the county had imposed restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19.

Now... county leaders are looking toward the next step.

News 10 bureau chief gary brian explains what that is..

Gar} "wednesday afternoon daviess county became one of the latest to be labeled red by the state of indiana.

This means folks in the community will now be facing more restrictions."

The red designation will restrict group gatherings to 25 people.

Health leaders are asking at risk residents to steer clear of any social gatherings.

Restrictions will also impact local school events.

"all school sports and acitivities are limited.

Basketball is now down to players, coaches, and parents/guardians only.

No fans."

The red restrictions are from the state.

But county leaders are looking at their own options.

Just a day before the change in designation... daviess county commissioners were weighing their options.

"we're too the level now where we've got to start driving the hammer on some of these folks.

The discussion came up at the end of the monthly commissioners meeting.

Reports coming into the county of businesses not adhearing to guidelines.

"some photos i received yesterday, these meat packing plants with thirty people in the back.

Not one with a mask on.

Mass packing meat products.

'and they have positive cases in their facilitiy.'" "we've had a lot of complaints about restraunts, employees, restraunt owners not following the mask mandate."

Commissioners are now looking for a way to enforce the mandate.

"if we send them a written warning saying we're going to shut them down if they don't comply, and they don't comply, i want to see them shut down."

The proposed enforcement would go to businesses that are in blatent disregard of the mandate.

If the violation continues the establishment could loose their food permit for 24 hours.

The details are still being worked out...but health and county leaders say something needs to be done.

"we don't want to shut anybody down but again we have to make sure that we're providing a safe environment."

Gar} "enforcement of the mask mandate with businesses could come in the next few weeks.

Working from home in vincennes, gary brian news 10."