California County to Slap Maskless Residents With Hefty Fines

A county in California is set to fine residents for violating health orders tied to COVID-19.

As per Fox News, people and establishments in Contra Costa County that would violate health orders would be penalized by paying certain fees.

The county has created a task force to make sure that residents and businesses are following social distancing and mask guidelines designed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

For first-time offenders, they may receive a warning notice. A spokesperson for the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, Scott Alonso, told Fox News that fines would begin at $100 for a person and increase per violation to a maximum of $500.

Penalties for establishments will start at $250 and could go up as high as $1,000.

Alonso likened the rules to doling out traffic tickets that will be an alternative to prosecution. However, he noted that the agencies involved are not required to go out and look for violations. Instead, they could investigate what is referred through a complaint process.

Local officials have received around 900 complaints since March, including about 100 in the past several weeks, as per Alonso. The majority of the complaints pertain to businesses not requiring patrons or staff to put on masks.

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The county will not prosecute first-time offenders caught with a small amount of drugs or other non-violent offenses, like petty theft.

In September, the DA's office said the policy, which started as a pilot, would become official and would no longer file charges in several instances involving low-level misdemeanors, such as theft under $300, disorderly conduct shoplifting, and low net weight cases of controlled substances, among others.

It aims to divert low-level recreational users out of the criminal justice system and into the healthcare system.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently found himself under fire after attending a dinner at an expensive restaurant where attendees do not wear masks, violating the governor's own state orders.

Newsom has since apologized for his actions. The state is now experiencing a severe uptick in COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began this year.

California governor issued more strict masks mandate

Newsom issued on Monday more strict mask rules in California, urging residents to wear masks anytime they leave their house, according to USA Today. Face masks or other face coverings must be worn in public unless:

1. You are working alone in a private room or office.
2. You are in your car alone with those within your household.
3. When you are outdoors, you are staying six feet away from others.
4. You are eating or drinking distanced from others.
5. You are undergoing nose or face procedures.

People who are exempted from the new rules include people with disabilities, children younger than two years old, people with medical or mental conditions, people with hearing impairment, and those who rely on lipreading to communicate.

Read also: Quitting Smoking and Vaping Could Help You Avoid COVID-19, Says a Study