COLUMBUS — Facial coverings for employees and customers will be required as Ohio begins to partially re-open the state’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday.
“Ohioans have stepped up, and candidly, where we are today, where we can start coming back, move the economy, get people back to work, where we are is because of what you have done,” the governor said.
The key aspect of the plan, according to the governor is, “no mask, no work, no service, no exception.” One of the five protocols for all businesses requires face coverings for employees/customers at all times.
The announcement came five weeks after DeWine issued a stay-at-home order and comes amid pressure for the governor to re-open the state’s battered economy as the state’s jobless rate approaches the 1 million mark.
COVID-19 general office environments
Companies re-opening, and those essential business already open, will also be required to conduct daily health checks of employees, ensure social distancing and sanitize workplaces regularly.
“We know that the businesses permitted to re-open can meet the protocols,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said. “The more we do the things that stomp down COVID-19, the faster the next phase is coming.”
DeWine revealed details on the dates for re-opening segments of the economy during May, even as the state ramps up COVID-19 testing and tracing capabilities of public health departments.
“We’re set for May to be a very good month as we move forward,” DeWine said. “Coronavirus is still here. It’s just as dangerous as it ever has been.
“It is still living among us. It’s still searching … searching for bodies.
COVID-19 manufacturing distribution
Beginning on Friday, elective medical procedures and surgeries, which were ordered halted on March 17 to preserve hospital bed space and personal protective equipment, can resume at health care facilities around the state. Dental offices and veterinarians can also resume normal operations on Friday.
Distribution centers, manufacturers, construction companies and general office settings may re-open on Monday, the governor said. DeWine said consumer, retail and service businesses may re-open on May 12.
DeWine said gatherings of more than 10 people will still be forbidden and events that attract crowds, such as sporting events and theaters, remain closed.
The governor said no re-open date has been set for dine-in restaurants, hair salons, gyms and daycare centers. The Ohio Restaurant Association has reported more than 300,000 employees have lost jobs and half of Ohio’s restaurants have closed.
“I know there are other things we all want to do — get a haircut, go to restaurants — but we have to see how we are doing first,” DeWine said. “It’s very hard to control the environments in daycare centers. I understand what parents are going through, but we have to start with what is easiest to control.
“As long as we aren’t seeing numbers that are not terribly alarming, we’ll be able to move down that pathway. We are losing Ohioans every week — and that will probably continue — but what we don’t want to see is a big spike,” DeWine said. “With any decision, there is a risk. What we did today is a risk. Doing nothing is a risk.”
The Ohio Department of Health reported Monday that COVID-19 deaths (confirmed and probable) were at 753, up 25 from Sunday. DeWine said the five-day trend in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths were all headed in the right direction.
“We’re not going down, but we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.
