Sanford Mayor Chet Mann has issued an emergency declaration to reinforce Governor Cooper’s executive orders 176 and 180, requiring the use of face coverings by persons in North Carolina and reducing the occupancy limits of most indoor activities.
Executive orders 176 and 180 mandate face coverings in public and indoors when in the presence of non-household members. It reduces mass gathering limits for indoor spaces from 25 to 10 people. Read the executive orders here.
The declaration for the City of Sanford takes effect at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2020 and shall remain in effect until it is modified or rescinded by Mayor Mann. The goal for the declaration is to reinforce the provisions of Governor Cooper’s executive orders to protect public health, safety, and welfare of all Sanford residents.
“This enhanced State of Emergency does not include additional regulations,” says Mayor Mann. “This is an effort to reinforce existing regulations, allowing the City Manager to deploy employees as needed.”
To reinforce these guidelines, offices and businesses found to have been functioning substantially in violation of these guidelines and orders shall be cited as follows:
- First violation:
- Offices and businesses shall be cited and fined $100 for each person found to be on the premises or within any structure in excess of the limits imposed by the above-referenced executive orders for such premises or structures.
- Offices and business will also be cited and fined $100 for not requiring employees or customers to wear face coverings.
- Second citation: Offices and businesses shall be fined $500.
These fines are civil penalties to be enforced by City employees, such as code enforcement officers or fire officials who make observations of non-compliant operation of structures in the City and render civil penalties.
“I want all businesses to safely remain open,” says Mayor Mann. “We must work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, by practicing the 3-Ws (Wear, Wait and Wash). Prevention is the key. Support our local business by using curbside or delivery options, especially if you cannot wear a mask.”
A violation may be based on businesses’ failure to comply with, among other things stated in the declaration, the following:
- 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.
For more information, resources and guidance about how offices and businesses may safely operate in the context of this COVID-19 pandemic, visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services website for guidance and its COVID-19 dashboard.