Monterey County is joining other local cities in approving fines for face covering violations.
On Tuesday, July 28 the Monterey County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance, effective immediately, allowing for fines for those disregarding the state face covering health order for all areas in unincorporated Monterey County. Monterey County’s Health Officer issued a face covering order in April of 2020 and the State Department of Public Health issued guidance for face coverings in June of 2020, but enforcement of these orders remains a challenge. Fines would be administrative citations, not a criminal proceeding and would start at $100, $200 for a second violation, and $500 for subsequent violations. Repeated violations could also be prosecuted as a misdemeanor in the discretion of the County District Attorney. People given a citation have the option to pay the fine or appeal the citation and have a hearing before an administrative law judge.
The approval on Tuesday, July 28 also allows the county to hire temporary workers as may be needed to enforce the health order.
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