Ohio’s Plan For Reopening Announced

• May 1:  All medical procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay will be allowed to move forward.  Procedures that are life threatening, prevent the spread of cancer, have severe symptoms, or meet other emergency requirements will be able to move forward as they have been throughout this crisis.  Dentists and veterinarians are also allowed to resume procedures.  Governor DeWine underscored that it is important for individuals to resume regular, preventive healthcare.

• May 4:  Manufacturing, construction, distribution, and general offices will be able to be reopened.  Businesses who can efficiently work remotely are encouraged to do so as much as possible.

• May 12:  Consumer, retail, and service businesses may reopen.  All employees and customers will be required to wear facial coverings.

• All businesses that reopen must adhere to the state’s responsible protocols:  wearing masks, daily health assessments to determine fitness for duty, maintaining good hygiene and distance, limiting capacity to 50% of fire code, and cleaning/sanitizing workplaces throughout the day.

• Businesses are encouraged to use appointments to limit customers and eliminate customers in waiting/lobby areas.

• Sector-specific guidance has been provided that outlines mandatory requirements for reopening as well as best practices.

• Daycare centers, restaurants/bars, gyms, salons/barbers, entertainment/recreation, senior centers, and adult day cares will all remain closed.

• Groups of 10 or more are not permitted and the Governor requested that businesses and individuals insist in enforcing this.

• Any positive tests should be reported to local health departments and businesses should close to extent possible to do a deep sanitizing.

• Ohio has 8,414 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 389 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 2,331 people have been hospitalized, including 707 admissions to intensive care units.  There are cases in 87 the State’s 88 counties.