(KLZA)-- A number of topics were covered during a teleconference of the Richardson County Board of Health Wednesday morning. 

One topic concerned whether or not the Health Board can mandate the recommendation that no more than 10 patrons be in a non-essential business.

City Attorney Mike Dunn explained the City is concerned that a couple of facilities have had larger gatherings and they are worried how that could affect the hospital if someone at those gathering were infected. 

Dunn explained they are not interested in mandating the 10-person limit in essential businesses such as grocery stores, the hospital and other businesses that carry items people need to carry on their lives.

The Southeast District Health Department is working on language that would mandate the 10-person limit.  Falls City Police Chief Duane Armbruster urged the mandate be adopted as soon as possible.

Health Board member Dr. Alan Tramp said he was in favor of the limit for non-essential gatherings.

Health Board Chairman, Sheriff  Rick Hardesty said that there are similar issues in other parts of the County and indicated he was in favor.

Dunn said the City is not looking to punish business owners, they just want law enforcement officers to be able to go to a business and ask them to disperse groups of more than 10, and if the order is not complied with, they have an action with a force of law to use. 

The Sheriff planned to discuss the issue further with County Attorney Doug Merz.  If adopted, the penalty would be a misdemeanor but would go against the business owner and the business liquor license if they have one.

Currently there are no reported cases of coronavirus in Richardson County.