NASHUA – The vast majority of local restaurant owners and managers appear to be complying with Gov. Chris Sununu’s March 16 order, which restricts food and beverage service to delivery, takeout or drive-through.

City environmental health manager Heidi Peek-Kukulka said Tuesday that the department has fielded just two calls reporting a potential violation of the order.

“We received two complaints from the public since the order went into effect,” Peek-Kukulka said. “I called both of them and spoke with them … I clarified what’s written in the order to make sure they understand.”

According to Sununu’s order, state and local public health officials are tasked with enforcing the ban on inside dining, which is in effect through at least Monday, April 6.

But the order also states that if it becomes necessary, officials may call upon “the assistance of state or local police” to enforce the ban.

No such incidents have occurred in Nashua as yet, police Chief Michael Carignan said.

“We’re not going in and citing people,” Carignan said last week, referring to officers on patrol. “If (health officials) need our help, we’ll certainly provide assistance,” he added.

Two days after Sununu issued the order banning inside dining, he followed it up with an order temporarily authorizing “take-out or delivery beer or wine.”

The authorization allows “all restaurants, diners, bars, saloons, private clubs” and other establishments with restaurant and liquor licenses to sell beer or wine via takeout or delivery, the order states.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

—–

EDITOR’S NOTE: This content is being provided for free as a public service to our community during the coronavirus outbreak. Please support local journalism by subscribing to The Telegraph at https://home.nashuatelegraph.com/clickshare/checkDelivery.do;jsessionid=40C089D96583CD7318C1C1