UPDATED JUNE 3, 2020
The Ohio Department of Health issued an order dated May 29, 2020, effective at 11:59 p.m. on May 29, 2020, and remaining in effect until 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2020, that contains revised guidance for businesses, including additional sector-specific recommendations for manufacturing, distribution, construction, and general office environments. It also permits roller skating rinks, ice skating rinks, and indoor miniature golf facilities to reopen, so long as they comply with the non-contact sports, skills training, and golf guidance contained in prior orders.
A separate May 29, 2020, order, effective at 12:01 a.m. on May 31, 2020, and remaining in effect until 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2020, permits facilities providing child care services to reopen, subject to social distancing requirements, safety standards, and sector-specific requirements laid out in the order.
May 22, 2020 Orders Reopening Various Businesses and Extending School Closure
The Ohio Department of Health issued separate orders on May 22, 2020, effective at 12:01 a.m. on May 26, 2020, that remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2020, that permit the following categories of businesses to reopen, subject to social distancing requirements, safety standards, and sector-specific requirements laid out in the orders:
- gyms,
- dance instruction studios,
- other personal fitness venues,
- baseball,
- softball,
- batting cages,
- golf courses,
- miniature golf,
- pools and aquatic centers,
- tennis facilities,
- skills training for all sports, and
- general non-contact sports, including bowling alleys.
Another order issued on May 22, 2020, extended the closure of all K-12 schools until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2020.
Updated May 21, 2020
Ohio has issued separate orders reopening several categories of businesses previously closed under the Stay Safe Ohio Order. The following businesses may now re-open, so long as all safety standards, social distancing requirements, and sector-specific requirements laid out in the individual orders are followed:
- Campgrounds, including recreational camps and recreational vehicle (RV) parks, effective 12:01 a.m. on May 21, 2020.
- Restaurants, effective 12:01 a.m. on May 21, 2020. The “open congregate areas” that are not necessary for the preparation and service of food and beverages (billiards, arcade games, dancing, etc.) must remain closed.
- All hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations (except that nose and oral piercings are prohibited), tanning facilities and other like businesses licensed by Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board and local boards of Health, effective 12:01 a.m. on May 15, 2020.
- Massage therapy, cosmetic therapy, and acupuncture locations that employ individuals licensed by Ohio State Medical Board, effective 12:01 a.m. on May 15, 2020.
Employees of these businesses must wear face coverings (with limited exceptions). These orders remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2020.
On May 21, 2020, the Ohio Lt. Governor Husted also announced several new future sector opening dates in Ohio:
- Beginning Tuesday, May 26, miniature golf, batting cages, and bowling alleys may resume operations if they can meet required safety protocols.
- Beginning Tuesday, May 26, skills training for all sports, including contact sports, may resume if required safety protocols can be met. Tournaments, games, and competitions for contact sports are still prohibited.
- Beginning Monday, June 1, catering and banquet centers may reopen if they can meet required safety protocols. Protocols include six feet between tables, no congregating, and a crowd size of no more than 300 people.
Guidelines for these sectors can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Updated: May 1, 2020
KEY PROVISIONS:
Ohio’s “Stay Safe Ohio Order,” dated April 30, 2020, replaces the previous order and remains in effect until May 29, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.. The new order sets dates for the re-opening of previously-closed businesses within specific sectors, subject to certain requirements enumerated in the order (link in the Key Documents). Subject to these requirements:
- Medical providers may resume non-essential surgeries and procedures, effective April 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m..
- Manufacturing, distribution, and construction and general office environments may reopen on May 4, 2020, at 12:01 a.m..
- Retail may reopen on May 12, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., or on May 1, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., if operations are limited to curbside pickup, delivery, or appointment-only (limited to 10 customers at a time).
The following businesses and operations remain closed until the order is amended or rescinded:
- Schools,
- Bars and restaurants,
- Personal appearance/beauty,
- Adult day support or vocational habilitation services in a congregate setting,
- Older adult day care services and senior centers,
- Child care services, and
- Entertainment/recreation/gymnasiums.
The Order requires that businesses allow customers, contractors, and vendors to use facial coverings, except for specifically documented legal, life, health or safety considerations and limited documented security considerations. The Order continues to require social distancing requirements, with specific requirements dependent on the type of business. The Order also continues to include a penalty of a fine of not more than $750 or not more than 90 days in jail, or both, for violations of the Order.
Updated April 8, 2020
Key Provisions:
New Order, dated April 2, 2020, replaces the previous Order and remains in effect until May 1, 2020 at 11:59pm and incorporates the following material provisions:
- The new Order continues to require unique Social Distancing Requirements as follows:
- Separate hours for the elderly and vulnerable customers must be implemented.
- Post online when a facility is open and how top best reach the facility.
- A penalty of a fine of not more than $750 or not more than 90 days in jail, or both, for violations of the Order has been specifically implemented.
- The new Order incorporates the updated CISA List (link in the Key Documents).
Key Documents
5/29/20 Order Revised Business Guidance
5/29/20 Order Reopening Child Care
5/22/10 Order Reopening Various Sports Activities
5/22/10 Order Extending School Closures
Press Release Regarding Future Opening Dates
Order Reopening Personal Services
Current Partial Reopening Order
Ohio Department of Health
Director’s Stay at Home Order
Executive Summary
The Ohio Department of Health Director’s Stay at Home Order (1) directs all individuals living in the State to stay at home or at their place of residence; (2) orders all businesses and operations in the State except Essential Businesses and Operations (as defined in the Order) to cease all activities within the State except Minimum Basic Operations; and (3) establishes various other prohibitions and restrictions relating to public and private activities and travel within the State. For the purposes of order, Essential Businesses and Operations references the CISA List and an additional list of specifically enumerated categories.
Summary of Order
- Director’s Stay at Home Order (Issued on March 22, 2020)
- The order took effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 23, 2020 and remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020.
- For purposes of the order, “Essential Businesses and Operations” means, in addition to the CISA List, the following:
- Healthcare and Public Health Operations
- Human Services Operations
- Essential Governmental Functions
- Essential Infrastructure (broadly construed to avoid any impacts to essential infrastructure)
- Stores that sell groceries and medicine
- Food, beverage, and licensed marijuana production and agriculture
- Organizations that provide charitable and social services
- Religious entities
- Media
- First amendment protected speech
- Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation
- Financial and insurance institutions
- Hardware and supply stores
- Critical trades
- Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services
- Educational institutions
- Laundry services
- Restaurants for consumption off-premises
- Supplies to work from home
- Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations
- Transportation
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities and shelters
- Professional services
- Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries
- Critical labor union functions
- Hotels and motels
- Funeral services
Social Distancing Requirements
For purposes of the order, Social Distancing Requirements includes:
- maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals,
- washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer,
- covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands),
- regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and
- not shaking hands.
Enforcement
The order may be enforced by State and local law enforcement to the extent set forth in Ohio law. To the extent any public official enforcing the order has questions regarding what services are prohibited under the order, the Director of Health has delegated to local health departments the authority to answer such questions in writing.
CISA List
Critical infrastructure sectors listed in CISA guidance (check list at link above for detailed list of worker functions):
- Healthcare / Public Health
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Other First Responders
- Food and Agriculture
- Energy — Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids (NGL), Propane, and Other Liquid Fuels
- Water and Wastewater
- Transportation and Logistics
- Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services
- Communications and Information Technology
- Other Community- or Government-Based Operations and Essential Functions
- Critical Manufacturing
- Hazardous Materials
- Financial Services
- Chemical
- Defense Industrial Base
- Commercial Facilities
- Residential/Shelter Facilities and Services
- Hygiene Products and Services