CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – In Governor Burgum’s COVID-19 response statement on Nov. 13, he enacted additional mitigation measures of mask requirements and business restrictions.

In it, he states that “those who violate the mask and capacity requirements may be cited for an infraction.” He “urged law enforcement and public health agencies to prioritize education in their enforcement, providing warnings and education about the risk of transmission, while reserving penalties for the most egregious violations that put public health at risk.”

The following is a statement from Carrington Chief of Police Nathan Kruse:

The Carrington Police Department has always prioritized public safety over enforcement, educating the public regarding their behavior and reserving penalties for egregious criminal activity. In addition, my office has a longstanding partnership with Foster County Public Health and has always worked closely with them regarding concerns of public health. We will continue to do so throughout this pandemic.

Businesses do have the right to ask customers to wear masks and can refuse service. If a business contacts us due to someone not abiding by the mitigation measures, we will certainly prioritize education and believe we can all work together to alleviate public health concerns. We hope everyone will take the mitigation measures seriously for the safety of themselves and others and be respectful of one another.

Carrington Police Department understands the serious health complications that can come from COVID-19 infection, particularly for our elderly and those with underlying health conditions. We trust our communities to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others. If you have any questions, please reach out to our office.