MISSOULA — The Missoula City-County Health Department said it is unable to conduct regular inspections due to the pandemic.
MCCHD inspects restaurants, hotels, and motels once a year, and pools twice a year.
But because so many resources are being devoted to handling the pandemic, Environmental Health Director Shannon Therriault says more than 1,000 inspections are being put on hold.
She says this isn't ideal, but it shouldn't be a concern, because the health department is having extra contact with businesses, and some of that includes food safety guidance.
"We really have to work within our capacity," said Therriault. "There is definitely a limit to the capacity that we have. We will figure out the best we that we can to check in with all of those establishments."
Therriault says the health department has gotten about 289 complaints about businesses not complying with COVID guidelines since the mask order took effect.
She adds pools have been inspected, and the health department plans to try online inspections for some businesses soon.
