Deschutes County health official: 100+ Phase 1 reopening complaints so far

Most report lack of face coverings, large gatherings, lack of social distancing at restaurants, bars, grocery stores, food cart lots

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- It's been almost two weeks since restaurants and bars opened their doors back up to the public, in limited fashion. During that span, Deschutes County health officials say they've received more than 100 complaints about businesses violating Gov. Kate Brown’s guidelines.

Many of the complaints revolve around two issues: customers calling about a business where employees are not wearing face masks, and folks who reach out to report a large gathering, with no social distancing.

Eric Mone, the county's environmental health supervisor, told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday the complaints have not been limited to one type of business. Restaurants, bars, grocery stores and food cart lots have all been subjects of a report.

When a complaint comes in, Mone said his department will reach out to the business and provide education and technical assistance, to help them meet the reopening guidelines.

Mone said the Deschutes County Health Department has also had weekly meetings with the OLCC, OSHA, local law enforcement, code enforcement teams and the Oregon Department of Agriculture to figure out which agency is supposed to respond to each business sector and decide what the educational campaign should look like, to keep the message consistent.

“When it comes to enforcement, there have been a lot of questions about who’s supposed to do what with regards to enforcement,” Mone said. “That’s been a real challenge.”

No business in Central Oregon has received a fine yet -- and Mone said it's not likely that will ever happen.

"(We) try to figure out how we can get compliance without going through the citation route, because nobody wins if you do that,” Mone said. “I think that the businesses that are complying are the ones that are going to succeed fastest."

Mone said the county wants to inspire consumer confidence, while keeping the public safe. He said that can be tough, because this is uncharted territory.

Mone said the biggest thing we want to avoid is going backwards, which would mean businesses shutting down once again.

Mone also wants to remind businesses and the public to wear face coverings, stay home when symptomatic and maintain six-foot physical distance in social settings.

The Deschutes County Environmental Health Department picked up 300 face shields Wednesday and will hand them out to businesses in the area.