LEXINGTON, KY (LEX 18) — Did they or didn't they? That's the question we asked officials at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department about businesses and the governor's mask order.
Late Monday spokesman Kevin Hall said the health department received 34-complaints on Lexington businesses. The complaints included gas stations, restaurants, grocery, and retail stores.
At this point, Hall says contact with businesses will be educational in nature, but that could change. "If we continue to get complaints about businesses violating this, that's when the next step of taking action will begin," said Hall who mentioned fines and penalties still to be determined.
So who do you call to report a business? Not the police. Several departments say they're not enforcing or writing citations on the matter since it's an executive order, not a law.
Police encourage people to call their local or state health department. They add businesses do have the right to refuse service if someone won't wear a mask. If a person refuses to leave, officers can cite individuals for criminal trespassing.
As of late Monday, no Lexington businesses have been cited.
