See a business violating COVID-19 order? Inslee says you can take action

Washington residents who are concerned that non-essential businesses are violating Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to shut down can now file an online complaint.

Inslee said at a press conference Monday that the “vast majority” of Washington businesses and residents have complied with emergency proclamation, which also required that many people stay at home for at least two weeks as the state tries to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had thousands of calls coming in from many places — also to our state and local agencies from concerned residents — with reports that some individuals and some businesses are not complying with this order. And these people who are calling us are very concerned about their health and the health of others,” Inslee said.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Monday that his office has received complaints that some landlords are attempting to evict tenants in violation of a statewide moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent. Inslee on March 18 announced a 30-day moratorium, which can be extended.

“We take these allegations very seriously,” said Ferguson, who said tenants should contact his office if their landlord is trying to evict them in violation of the moratorium. “We understand these are tough times for everybody including landlords. However, putting families on the street during this public health emergency is not right…”

Ferguson said the attorney general’s office is looking into reports that some landlords have tried to add fees, that if not paid, could lead to evictions since the grounds wouldn’t be for nonpayment of rent.

The emergency proclamation that Inslee signed on March 23 bans all public and private gatherings of people until 12:01 a.m. April 7. The closure of all non-essential businesses expires at 12:01 a.m. April 9. Inslee has said the proclamation likely will be extended.

The long list of businesses that are considered essential include day care centers, gas stations and firms in which people can telecommute.

Inslee said the state’s enforcement approach has three tiers:

• If state or local authorities receive complaints about non-essential business violating the closure order, those firms will be told to comply.
• If the firms don’t comply, the state will take action, starting with citations and suspension notices for a variety of permits including revoking business licenses if that’s necessary to bring businesses into compliance.
• If they still don’t comply, local and state authorities will refer complaints to the Attorney General’s office for civil or criminal charges.

Willfully violating the emergency proclamation is a gross misdemeanor, which carries a sentence up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Ferguson said a non-essential business that refuses to close after receiving a warning from the state would be endangering public health and violating the state’s Consumer Protection Act’s prohibition against unfair business practices.

“I don’t want to have to use the powers of my office to hold accountable those who intentionally violate the Governor’s emergency orders, but I want to be very clear. If necessary, I will. The reason is simple. Lives literally depend upon it,” he said.

The online form is solely for reporting businesses. Find the online form at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/09349a1c56844b539fea1c2cabd16d56

The governor’s office said reporting individuals who allegedly are violating the stay-at-home order should go directly to local law enforcement but not via 911 to keep the lines open for emergencies. People should call 911 only if there is an “immediate threat to safety,” the governor said.

“These are local decisions. We’re not going to tell local law enforcement how to do their jobs,” he said.

Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl said law enforcement is asking people to be “judicious” in how much they go out beyond commuting to essential businesses where they work, visiting doctors, buying food and gasoline.

“The quicker that we can nip this virus in the bud, the quicker we can start relaxing the requirements — and we still have a ways to go,” he said.

The Tacoma Police Department is emphasizing education about the ban on gatherings of people, said Officer Wendy Haddow, the department’s spokesperson.

“Officers, if they see groups congregating out in public, they will engage and educate and remind them about the restrictions and the importance in keeping themselves, their families and the rest of the community safe,” she said.

The governor said while the state may have had some success in the central Puget Sound region in slowing the increase of infection rates, the state has received “disturbing news” about the growing percentages of tests that are positive for COVID-19 in other parts of Washington.

The governor said 21 percent of tests on Saturday were positive in Skagit County, 19 percent in Adams County, 17 percent in Island County, 16 percent in Benton County, and 15 percent in Franklin County.

“These numbers are two to three times higher than what we’ve experienced in the week or two before. So it’s very alarming to us,” he said.

Inslee said he spoke with Vice President Mike Pence on Monday about increasing the “critical supplies” that Washington needs.

“We’re going to need a lot more help from the federal government before we are out of the woods,” he said, referring to additional hospital beds, ventilators, and test kits. “We are way, way, way short on our testing capability, as is every state in the United States.”

This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 1:58 PM.