At least 89 businesses have received cease and desist letters from the Vanderburgh County Health Department over the past six months. 21 also received $250 fines, mostly for face covering violations.
“We’re seeing repeat violations of local guidelines, through returning and checking,” said health department administrator Joe Gries.
“Or if we continue to receive complaints, and we try to go out and follow up. Not everybody understands the rules, or forgets and lets their guard down.”
Two businesses have been forced to close until they came into compliance. One of those is Jimmy John’s. Owner Ken Butler says he believes that punishment was extreme.
“She (the employee) had her mask on, just didn’t have it pulled up over her nose. There was no other customers in my location. There was no employees within six feet of her,” said Butler.
“I do feel I wasn’t treated justfully. I don’t think the punishment matched the crime.”
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