PORT ANGELES — Restaurant owners who violate Dr. Allison Berry’s vaccination mandate are given 72 hours to comply before their health permits can be revoked by the Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services, she said.
Berry, the agency director and health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties, said Friday that owners with revoked permits are referred to the state Department of Labor & Industries, which can levy fines.
“I do not believe any fines have been levied in our counties,” Berry said during a chain of text messages Thursday and Friday.
“Yes, businesses have been referred to L & I. Most comply at that point.
“Yes, We are beginning the enforcement process with some businesses [last] week, which would result [in] revoking permits if they do not comply with the rules.”
Eight establishments were on Berry’s vaccination-requirement enforcement list as of Friday morning, she said.
All were in Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks — and none in Jefferson County.
Berry would not release the names of the businesses “as it impairs our working relationships and our likelihood of achieving voluntary compliance,” she said.
“We will have to prioritize enforcement based on risk, given limited staff.
“It is very easy for a patron to assess if a business is following these rule sand not to patronize that space while enforcement is underway.”
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
