Contra Costa Considers COVID-19 Fines With 'Bite' For Violators

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — An amounting number of restaurant owners in Contra Costa County have openly defied the latest stay-at-home order this week. In response, the county could enact new or higher administrative fines for businesses that break health orders.

Some members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors have expressed concern that the current fines for violating coronavirus related health orders aren't high enough to ensure compliance.

On Tuesday, the board will gather to discuss and possibly approve new fines for businesses and possibly individuals breaking the health orders.

The proposed ordinance, as outlined in a county staff report, doesn't include any specific fine amounts. But last week, County Supervisor Karen Mitchoff said that she wants to see fines that have "bite" and that business owners consider too high to keep vioiating the rules.

Mitchoff mentioned fines as high as $20,000 for some violations by businesses.

"It's time to bring the hammer down," Mitchoff said at the Dec. 8 supervisors' meeting.

The current penalty is a $250 fine for a first violation of the county heath order restrictions; $400 for a second violation, and $1,000 for a third violation. Violations can include dining at a restaurant, indoors or out; or not enforcing social distancing, customer capacity or cleaning mandates.

According to the draft of the ordinance, the fines could be appealed to the Contra Costa County Superior Court.

The supervisors' virtual meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. It is viewable by going to the county's website.

Some business owners have chosen to ignore the order completely. Bernadette Moufarrej, owner of Danville's Incontro Ristorante, told NBC Bay Area that the shutdown is unfair and she believes staff can keep customers safe while dining outside. Jimmy Eliopoulos, the owner of Danville's Crumbs Restaurant, said the stay-at-home order is the only thing he's ever defied, aside from speeding tickets.

READ MORE: Danville Eateries Defy Stay-Home Order As Restaurants Reel

Bay City News contributed to this report.