Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says her office will guard against profiteers who use the coronavirus outbreak to gouge consumers on the costs of health and hygiene supplies.
Nessel says businesses that mark up by more than 20 percent prices on face masks, toilet paper, and other consumer items in short supply will need to explain why or face penalties. The penalties could include up to 300 dollars and 90 days in jail for each violation.
“Businesses will not and cannot use this state of emergency as a business opportunity,” she said. “That is the long and the short of it.”
Nessel says the same is also true for bars and restaurants that ignore new limits on how many people they can have on their premises.
“No one, no one wants a shutdown of the food and beverage industry, but also, no one wants the coronavirus, right?” Nessel said.
She says establishments that serve beer, wine, and spirits could face the loss of their liquor licenses if they don’t comply with crowd limits.
“And understand that the consequences down the road may be severe, and you may not be getting arrested on Saint Patrick’s Day, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be some significant consequences for you later.”
Nessel says violating the executive order signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a misdemeanor. It carries a potential penalty of 300 dollars and 90 days in jail for each violation.
