MONTEREY COUNTY — State strike teams, which are part of California’s strategy to curb the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases, have notified the Monterey County Health Department of their intent to visit the county.
“When and how long such a team or teams will be in Monterey County is unknown,” the health department said in a news release Tuesday.
The governor’s office created strike teams to fan out across the state primarily targeting trouble spots to help with enforcement of state Covid-19 business guidelines. Monterey County was recently placed on the state’s “watch list” due to exceeding state health indicators.
“That Monterey County has been selected for a strike team visit shows the seriousness of the renewed restrictions the County is now experiencing,” the health department said.
Strike teams have already been active in other parts of the state, with their primary job being to inform and educate businesses that are not following state guidance, although citations have been issued when necessary.
These teams are made up of inspectors from state agencies, including Alcohol Beverage Control and CalOSHA, California Highway Patrol, Barbering and Cosmetology, Business Oversight, Consumer Affairs, Food and Agriculture, Labor Commissioner’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
According to Monterey County Health Department, the teams will “focus on bars, restaurants and other sectors and facilities that may be putting employees as well as customers at risk.” The health department plans to work with the teams while they are here to identify areas of concern.
“Businesses which are regulated by the county or state know that there is no advance notice of any inspection, so please continue to follow all state health guidelines and practices,” the health department said. “The goal of this effort is to shore up health practices in our community for everyone’s safety and help reopen and keep open our local businesses.”
Monterey County residents who have concerns about business violations can report their concerns to the Monterey County Health Department Covid hotline at 831-755-4521 or 831-796-8700, or email CO******@co.us or the District Attorney’s Office at co****************@co.us .
