Pickaway County Public Health announced on Wednesday that it will begin to enforce state guidelines on all businesses in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“We take this situation and the health of Pickaway County residents seriously,” Pickaway County Public Health officials wrote in a statement. “In order to continue protecting the citizens of this community, PCPH is implementing a COVID-19 enforcement program for businesses to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and adhere to the Ohio Department of Health Director's orders."
The program will be implemented as follows:
• As PCPH receives the first complaint of a violation, it will contact the business and make it aware of the rules.
• A second complaint will trigger a visit to assess the business. If the complaint is validated, the business will be issued a notice of violation.
• A third complaint will result in another notice of violation signed by the Health Commissioner, and the business will be fined a maximum $750.
• A fourth complaint could result in a cease and desist closure.
Under Ohio Revised Code 3701.56, health department can enforce any order that the Ohio Department of Health adopts.