State strike teams intended to help with business compliance visiting Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) The Monterey County Health Department said a state strike team, which is intended to educate and improve health order business compliance, is expected to visit the county.

The health department does not know when the team or teams will arrive or how long they will be there.

The strike teams were created by the Governor's Office and target trouble spots to help enforce COVID-19 business guidelines. Monterey County is on the state's watch list because it exceeded health indicators put in place by the state.

"That Monterey County has been selected for a strike team visit shows the seriousness of the renewed restrictions the County is now experiencing. Strike teams have already been active in other parts of the state, their primary job is to inform and educate businesses that are not following state guidance although citations have been issued when necessary," the health department said in a statement.

The teams are expected to focus on bars, restaurants and other businesses that may be putting customers or employees at risk, and the health department will work with the teams to identify areas of concern. Businesses will not receive notice before an inspection.

Teams are made up of inspectors from Alcohol Beverage Control, CalOSHA, the California Highway Patrol, Barbering and Cosmetology, Business Oversight, Consumer Affairs, Food and Agriculture, the Labor Commissioner's Office and the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.

Monterey County residents can report concerns about business violations in several ways:

• Call the Monterey County Health Department's COVID-19 hotline 831-755-4521 or 831-796-8700 M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Email COVID-19@co.monterey.ca.us
• Email consumercomplaints@co.monterey.ca.us
• Call the local police department or sheriff's office