15 businesses in NC warned: Follow guidelines for masks, social distance

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has begun warning individual businesses that they must get in line with Gov. Roy Cooper's executive orders that require masks and social distance to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The state has sent 15 letters to businesses since Oct. 19 based on complaints from the public.

“These complaints were not generated by county officials, but rather private citizens. We were not made aware of any issues with local businesses prior to receiving the copies of the letters,” Honeycutt said.

The letter begins, "We have received complaints regarding non-compliance with applicable face covering and social distancing requirement(s)."

Businesses that get the letter are required to sign and return an enclosed form, committing to following the governor's guidelines.

"Be advised that violating any provision of the Governor's Executive Order is a Class 2 misdemeanor," the letter says. "Continued failure to cooperate and abide by the restrictions in the Executive Order may result in further actions ... or referral to law enforcement."