(UPDATE, 6:55 p.m.) Big Sky Deli today declined to be interviewed, saying only they want this situation “over.” On Tuesday evening, the CCHD posted the following response to the situation:
Hi, Cascade County. In this morning’s post, we saw a lot of questions about what CCHD is doing to maintain the mask order in Cascade County. It is essential for you to know that so far we have not threatened or demanded that one company close down due to non-compliance with the mask order. There are multiple avenues for enforcement if we learn that a company is in conflict with public health orders. Although the situation of COVID-19 is constantly changing, here is a sketch of our basic process:
- A complaint is submitted- CCHD verifies the complaint
- We educate the company
- A second complaint is filed
- CCHD verifies the second complaint
- We are educating the company a second time
- A third complaint is filed
- CCHD verifies the third complaint
- CCHD consults with the County Attorney’s Office
- Cascade County Sheriff’s Office may have entered
- Penalties for violations are enforced
Violations can be enforced by civil dismissal, such as by criminal prosecution, with fines of up to $ 500 per day for each day of a violation, 90 days in prison, or both on conviction.
CCHD has no desire to be punishable – we hope our process shows that we have standard education. That said, it is critical that Cascade County businesses and residents continue to work together to slow the spread of COVID-19. Let’s follow the governor’s guideline on masks so business owners can concentrate on staying open and serving their customers, instead of completing public health commissions.
(1st report, 12:08 pm) The Big Sky Deli in Vaughn is urging all its customers to wear masks after claiming the store was threatened with closure by the City-County Health Department.
The CCHD in Great Falls on July 23 formally accepted the state-wide mask mandate issued by Governor Steve Bullock on July 16. The directive requires face coverage in all counties that have more than three active cases of COVID-19, in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. Click here for details on the guideline. The guideline requires that masks be used in most settings indoors and where social distance cannot be maintained. Bullock said companies have the right to deny entry to anyone who does not have a mask. ‘No shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service. It’s that simple, ”he said.
On Monday, Big Sky Deli posted on Facebook that “… we never thought it would come here, but by a few people who reported to the health department about customers in our store who do not wear a face that the department of Cascade County’s health threatens to shut us down. “
They said they are asking all customers to wear a face mask “so the health department is happy.” They found that anyone with a health condition that prevents a person from wearing a face mask is still welcome in the store. They also said: “If you see someone without a mask, ASBL understands that you do not know there (sic) side of things! Spread love, DO NOT be afraid! “
De Big Sky Deli Facebook Post has generated more than 250 comments in less than 24 hours, of which the overwhelming number support Big Sky Deli.
The CCHD posted on Facebook on Tuesday morning: “We want to assure you that we are working hard on local businesses over the Governor’s mask mandate. Our focus is education, not discipline. CCHD thanks the companies that follow them in enforcing the order, as well as our citizens who take swift preventive measures to slow down the spread of COVID 19. Again, education for businesses and residents of our community is our primary goal. “
We are working on getting more details on the situation from the CCHD and Big Sky Deli, and will update you as we get more information.
