Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder has issued an order requiring businesses to take steps to ensure patrons follow social-distancing protocols or face fines up to $500.
Under the order, businesses must establish written policies aimed at ensuring that six-foot distancing guidelines are followed and enforced by employees. Businesses must also post signs at entrances recommending face masks, prohibiting no more than two family members from entering a business at one time and discouraging children from entering. The fire department will enforce requirements and respond to complaints. If business owners don’t respond to written warnings are subject to $500 fines.
The order also prohibits waste and garbage haulers from cutting off service to customers who are in arrears.
The order follows a directive issued Wednesday authorizing $500 fines for people present at gatherings of more than 10 or who don’t observe six-foot distancing protocols.
Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Apr 9-14, 2020.
