The city of San Luis Obispo says since March 9,000 dollars in fines have been handed out in administrative fines for those not abiding by COVID-19 guidelines. A third of those being issued within the last month.
Kennedy Club Fitness, vocal about allowing indoor workouts to continue, is speaking out after district attorney Dan Dow says city officials inquired about misdemeanor charges against the business.
"Obviously we have a lot of support in the community and the members and the members who are here throughout the county with us they're here for you to know their health and fitness their physical and mental well-being," managing partner Kennedy Club Fitness, Brett Weaver said.
In a statement, Dow said:
"There is no sense in labeling a business owner or a business as a criminal for choosing to keep their business open."
The city says staff visits the location daily to verify non-compliance
"This location we have been fined three times for a thousand dollars apiece, I don't know what it looks like going from here but honestly our message is we are just trying to bring health and fitness to a community that looks for us to do that and we want to continue doing that," Weaver said.
Amid a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein says she understands the strain the current shutdown is putting on businesses.
"This is not about shutting down all the businesses, and first of all as you know this is not our decision, this is not county government saying these are the businesses that need to be closed but really the approach is one of saying things are going in a really bad direction we are just really asking people to not come together in all the places that we normally would," Borenstein said.
Kennedy, one of four San Luis Obispo businesses to be cited or fined for administration violations says they will continue operating indoors.
"As long as we get community support and the members stick with it with us and they tell their friends and family members we should be okay," Weaver said.
The city says most businesses they check on are in compliance but for those who are not fines can range from $250 to $1,000 dollars per violation.
