Amarillo Considering Fines For Not Following Covid-19 Rules

If you have watched any of the City's recent Zoom meetings regarding the pandemic, you know they paint a grim picture of what is happening in Amarillo. Healthcare workers are pleading with the city, and all of us, to do more to stop the spread.

Our hospitals are running out of room. The number of cases keeps going up. Today, reports are that the city is looking at further steps to take.

An emergency meeting will be held Friday. At the meeting, city leaders will be considering measures they can take to enforce the rules and guidelines laid out by the Governor regarding Covid-19.

The meeting will have the council considering an ordinance that will do two things. One, it will give businesses the authority to require customers wear a mask and maintain social distancing guidelines. Two, it will establish a fine for businesses that do not enforce the Covid-19 guidelines.

If you've been keeping watch on everything that's going on, you had to know something like this was coming.

A lot has been said about protecting small businesses. The best way you and I can do that is by following the guidelines. According to reports, the ordinance under consideration will state that businesses not enforcing the guidelines are met with a warning and eventually work their way up to a fine of up to $2,000.

You want to help out small businesses? Wear a mask. Maintain social distancing.

According to reports, the ordinance will be enforced by environmental health workers. They will be checking in on businesses in the area.

Wash your hands, wear a mask, keep up with social distancing guidelines.