After two years of struggling through a COVID pandemic that closed companies, cost jobs, and upset the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe, some Virginia business owners may find relief. Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an Executive Order that requires agencies to report all the fines, suspensions, and fees placed on individuals as well as businesses that reportedly violated the shutdown policies under former Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam. In a press release, Youngkin wrote:
“The fact that businesses are still dealing with COVID-19-related penalties and fines is infuriating. Livelihoods are on the line. In the previous administration, we saw our government shut down businesses, close our schools, and separate us from each other. While we can’t undo the damage done during the Northam administration, we are taking action going forward to end COVID-era draconian overreach.”
Refused to Shut Down During COVID Restrictions
One example that’s going viral on Twitter is of a restaurant owner who recently had his company raided because he was selling alcohol without a license, which was suspended on November 14 for 90 days. Matt Strickland, the owner of Gourmeltz in Spotsylvania County, insisted the restrictions were too severe and unconstitutional. He refused to make his guests wear masks or bother with social distancing during the pandemic.
The Virginia Department of Health suspended Strickland’s health permit in January 2021, but the Army veteran who is also campaigning for a Senate seat, continued to operate his business. While the health department dropped its case, the Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control did not, saying, according to a report in The Free Lance Star, that it was using a search warrant for “records and information related to possession of alcoholic beverages without a license, maintaining a common nuisance and the illegal sale of alcoholic beverage” because “the establishment failed to comply with ABC’s Board Order and continued to serve beer, wine and mixed beverages to customers.”
Strickland posted a video of the raid where he can be heard arguing with the officers, asking how they felt about what they were doing. When several responded that they were just doing their jobs, Mr. Strickland said, “Just doing your job? That’s what they said in Germany, too, man. They’re just doing their job. You’re part of the problem.”
Glenn Youngkin (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Youngkin’s Compensation Plans
In Youngkin’s short tenure as governor, he’s made it clear that he was not a fan of the COVID restrictions. In January, he signed an Executive Order making the wearing of masks in schools optional. He also told the Defense Department to “indefinitely postpone” the vaccine mandate for National Guard members. Now, he’s looking for ways to right the wrongs of the former administration, which can in some cases include reimbursing business owners who may have paid “unjust fines.”
The Virginia Republican said, “I look forward to working with the General Assembly to address this, forgive COVID fines and fees and restore licenses that were unjustly suspended.” While this may or may not help Mr. Strickland, it is at least a positive step in reversing some of the damage dealt out the past two years. However, Youngkin added that this will not apply to all companies with violations, such as nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities.
Meanwhile, the governor has directed agencies to stop collections and other types of enforcement related to the pandemic fines and fees in the upcoming budget request.
