Marin County will issue fines to people who violate COVID-19 health orders

NOVATO, Calif. - The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously passed a new ordinance to step up enforcement of the county's shelter-in-place orders. 

Effective immediately, the county will issue fines to people and businesses that don't comply with the rules. Possible violations include businesses operating when they are not supposed to and people not wearing face coverings. 

The county is on the state health department's watch list because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases and where more than 2,200 people have the virus. 200 cases were reported since last week. 

"We're at risk of  this getting even more out of control," said Marin County Health Officer Matt Willis, who explains that in a county where the curve was once flattened, more businesses and people, whether out of desperation or boredom or indifference, have stopped following the health orders. "We're seeing dramatic increases in cases, you know, across the region and in Marin County," said Dr. Willis.

Earlier this month, the county rolled back some of its reopenings, such as indoor dining. Most indoor activities are no longer allowed.

For people violating the shelter in place order, they could face civil penalties ranging between $25 to $500.

Businesses that are operating in violation of the health orders could face penalties ranging from $250 to $10,000. 

The size of the violation would depend on the activity's overall risk to public health.

KTVU's Tom Vacar contributed to this report.