Washington’s state labor agency is targeting businessowners who are willfully ignoring the governor’s pandemic orders.
The Department of Labor and Industries today [Tuesday] issued emergency rules that gives state inspectors the immediate authority to cite and fine offenders. Tim Church speaks for the agency.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of businesses doing that, but they’re certainly getting attention and I know that must be really irritating to the businesses that are following the law and following the governor’s executive order, to see others who have just chosen not to and are open for business as usual. So, those are the kind that, if we can confirm that that’s happening and they don’t shut down, that we’d be taking action against," Church said.
Action that includes fines of up to $10,000.
Church says people can report violations at L and I’s webpage. Agency staff members will then contact the businesses in question by phone and in writing to determine if there’s a violation to cite.