Camillo: ‘Do the right thing’
As fines increase, businesses urged to comply with COVID rules
GREENWICH — Local leaders said the new fines that Gov. Ned Lamont announced this week for businesses that violate capacity limits ultimately will serve the economy — not to mention public health.
Lamont on Tuesday announced via executive order a maximum fine of $10,000 on stores or restaurants that violate state limits by admitting more people than is allowed. The fine, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, is a steep increase over the maximum $500 fine that had been in place previously.
Lamont, who is a Greenwich resident, said Tuesday the new fine, which comes at the start of the holiday shopping season, is preferable to shutting down local businesses outright to get the pandemic under control.
“Increasing compliance with the protocols we’ve already enacted is an important responsibility in keeping our communities safe,” Lamont said. “We want to do everything we can to mitigate the further spread of this virus while avoiding the implementation of more restrictions or lockdowns on our already hard-hit economy and small businesses.”
Under state guidelines, a business or restaurant will be in violation if it admits beyond 50 percent of capacity.
That limit went into effect earlier in the month along with a mandatory closing time for restaurants of 10 p.m.
Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo said Wednesday he understood why Lamont would call for such a high fine, saying it shows the governor “meant business.”
“If you’re a business, especially one in this environment that is struggling a little bit, $10,000 hurts,” Camillo said. “If you’re coming toward your occupancy limit, err on the side of caution and do the right thing, not just to avoid the fine but to keep everybody healthy.”
Stamford Mayor David Martin said his main concern is not the fine, but not having to shut down businesses because of repeated violations.
“I believe the real big impact on businesses is if they are shut down,” Martin said on Wednesday. “Ten thousand dollars is an awful lot for an individual and for some small businesses it is an awful lot, but for other businesses it is not a lot.
“I have said repeatedly that for businesses, if there is an issue, the first time we will come and work with you,” Martin said.
Repeat offenders will be fined and eventually closed, he said.
“I want to make certain that businesses are not operating in a way that endangers this community,” Martin said.
In Stamford, three businesses were closed earlier this month due to violations of coronavirus safety guidelines. Those violations included overcrowding, not enforcing mask requirements and serving alcohol without food.
The closures came after the restaurants reportedly did not heed warnings to comply.
Marcia O’Kane, president and CEO of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, noted the work business owners have done to make their places safe during the pandemic, including enforcing distancing and installing safety features for employees and customers.
“It is to their credit that businesses have adjusted so quickly to all of the safety parameters put on them during this year,” O’Kane said on Wednesday. “We expect them to continue to do so, especially now that we are experiencing the second wave of the pandemic. We haven’t heard concerns about the new fine from anyone, likely because they are already strictly adhering to the rules.”
Stamford Assistant Police Chief Thomas Wuennemann on Wednesday said his police officers aren’t ordinarily looking for COVID violators, but if they find them they will do what it takes to make sure the law is adhered to.
He said some officers would be accompanying health department inspectors in making spot checks at various bars and restaurants in the city on Wednesday night, traditionally the busiest night of the year for bars.
“When complaints are made, our officers will respond,” Wuennemann said, explaining that city police officers are trained to supply masks to those without. “We always strive for voluntary compliance. But if we have to, we will do what is required by the law.”
The Greenwich Police Department has not yet had to fine any businesses for violating regulations, said Capt. Mark Zuccerella, the GPD’s public information officer.
“We will always use education to gain compliance,” Zuccerella said. “If education fails we can enforce the law as prescribed.”
Camillo and the GPD have both said in the past they prefer to educate residents and businesses rather than issue fines. In the spring, Camillo closed access to all town beaches and parks in an effort to curtail the spread of the virus when capacity was being reached.
In an effort to keep attendance down, Camillo has closed off Greenwich Point to non-beach card holders through at least the end of the year. In most years, people do not need beach cards to enter during the off season.