A San Luis Obispo County Compliance Hotline established to help enforce the state’s COVID-19 business restrictions is receiving calls around the clock.
According to San Luis Obispo County Public Information Officer Michelle Shoresman, more than 2,160 compliance calls have been made to the County as a whole since the line was opened.
Since the line became available in mid-March, more than 265 calls have been received denouncing alleged breaches by companies in the city of San Luis Obispo.
But after continuing with these businesses, the Interim Directorate of Economic Development of San Luis Obispo. Lee Johnson said less than five of the calls resulted in a subpoena.
Johnson said that’s because many of those calls are wrong, reports made by people who are not very up-to-date on the state’s latest reopening guidance.
And companies that are out of compliance generally change course once the city makes contact.
“Business owners have a business to run, but they also have a lot at stake if they don’t do it correctly and they really understand that if they don’t follow the rules, people don’t want to go there,” Johnson said. “So quickly, once you understand that, at first everyone understood that and understood that they have to do the right thing in the long run. So we really didn’t end up there.”
If a business does not comply, the owner may face a lower fee and a fine of up to $ 1,000.
Shoresman said businesses that are constantly reported to the hotline are kept on a list and are closely monitored with phone calls, emails and automatic checks.
While the cities of San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles issue citations, the County has not yet.
Johnson said most of the calls were about wearing masks and social distancing in companies.
Calls made to the compliance line regarding individual citizens are forwarded to the police department.
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