Nearly 70 Compliance Complaints Lodged Against Businesses Tuesday

BETHESDA, MD — In the last 24 hours, nearly 70 complaints were filed against Montgomery County businesses for possible reopening violations, a county official revealed Wednesday.

"Obviously, our residents are extremely concerned about their own safety and have been providing us with information about what's going on in our business community," said Dr. Earl Stoddard, the county's head of emergency management.

The county, which entered phase two of its reopening plan on June 19, requires workers to wear masks, enforce social distancing rules, and comply with a number of other COVID-19 regulations.

Stoddard said business ambassadors will continue to visit establishments to ensure they are following phase two reopening rules. Businesses that ignore public health guidance, however, risk getting cited or shut down.

According to Stoddard, a "vast and overwhelming majority" of businesses are complying with county and state mandates.

"It is only a handful of people who have chosen to put their personal business profits over public health. And it is those cases that we had to intercede and prevent things from proceeding as they would normally," he said. "We cannot and will not allow a handful of irresponsible businesses to ruin it for the entire business sector."

To report a violation, email hhsmail@montgomerycountymd.gov.