WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Delawareans have filed thousands of coronavirus-related complaints to the Delaware Division of Public Health.
But the News Journal reported Friday that only a handful of those complaints have resulted in citations.
The state’s complaint system allows people to call or email about a business that fails to be in compliance with COVID-19 regulations. And state officials often follow up with a phone call or site visit. And DPH conducts random inspections of facilities.
The agency has received more than 4,000 complaints. It also has conducted about 1,800 site visits since early June.
Administrative action has been taken against just over 20 those cases, according to the department’s Enforcement Actions webpage.
The most common violations are for customers failing to wear face-coverings, occupancy limits not being followed and a lack of social distancing.
“Our first intent is usually to provide education and outreach,” said Jamie Mack, Chief of DPH’s Health Systems Protection sector. “We would rather provide the correct information rather than coming in as a harsh enforcer.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.