CITY OF RACINE — As cases of COVID-19 rise in Racine, the city says they are going to start proactively enforcing capacity limits and the mask ordinance. In the past, enforcement was based on complaints, but city health officials say that isn’t working.
Health Administrator Dottie-Kay Bowersox said in a release Wednesday, “We have found that responding to complaints is too late to prevent the spread of the virus. It takes significant resources to do the necessary contact tracing, for the businesses to do the proper deep cleaning, and for individuals to quarantine when positive or who have had a close contact with someone who is positive. That is why, moving forward, Health Department staff with the support of the Racine Police Department will begin proactive compliance inspections.”
Businesses that violate capacity or other parts of the “Safer Racine” health order can be fined up to $500. For individuals, the mask mandate fines range from $25 on the first conviction to $100 on the third.
Racine’s mask ordinance says anyone 5 years old or older must wear a face-covering inside a public space. Outdoors, face coverings are required if there isn’t proper social distancing of six feet available. It was put in place in July, shortly before the Evers’ administration mask order.