6 Businesses ‘Warned’ For Unmasked Shoppers, Fine Comes Next

Six Oneida County businesses are getting official warnings for violating the public health order that mandates they prohibit shoppers/patrons from entering their stores.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente shared that news during his daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday, saying each of the six would soon be notified. Each has violated the order - allowing unmasked shoppers - more than once, he said.

• Hannaford on Commercial Drive, New Hartford
• Dollar Tree on Commercial Drive, New Hartford
• Ollie's Bargain Outlet in the New Hartford Shopping Center
• Walmart on Commercial Drive in New Hartford
• Price Chopper on Black River Blvd. in Rome
• Walmart on Rome-Taberg Rd. in Rome

Since last Friday, 23 complaints had been reported to Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers regarding such incidents -21 in relation to businesses allowing shoppers with no mask, 1 report centered around social distancing and the other was a complaint about a large gathering, he said.

Picente went on to explain that a complaint from the public does not trigger a violation of the public health order, but it might lead to a 'spot check' of the establishment by law enforcement. A member of law enforcement had observed a violation on more than one occassion, he said, adding that another violation for one of the locations mentioned above would result in a fine.

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