Governor DeWine Announces Coronavirus Updates As Of 3/16/2020
Gov. DeWine announces closure of Ohio bars, dine-in restaurants
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will be issuing an order to close all bars and restaurants Sunday night at 9 p.m. to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
During a press conference, Gov. DeWine added that establishments can stay open for carry-out and delivery but what we can't have is people congregating and seating.
"I'm aware that this will impact many, many good workers. I can't tell you how sorry I am, but we will work to mitigate the suffering," DeWine said. "It is our goal for everyone to get through this."
Ohio Bans Mass Gatherings of 100 or More
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH has signed an order to prohibit mass gatherings in the state of Ohio.
Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 100 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space.
This would include parades, fairs, and festivals.
Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 100 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories, or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within arm’s length of one another.
Additional exclusions are listed in the full Ohio Department of Health order.
This order will take effect immediately and will remain until the state of emergency declared by the Governor has been rescinded or modified.
Other announcements made today by Governor DeWine:
FIFTH CASE CONFIRMED: Ohio now has five confirmed cases of COVID-19. The fifth case involves a 55-year-old Trumbull County man who is currently hospitalized. The man has no travel history outside of Ohio, and this case represents a case of community spread. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton expect that the number of cases will continue to grow, as medical experts have predicted that the number of cases will continue to double every six days.
NURSING HOMES/ASSISTED LIVING: At the urging of the nursing home industry, the Ohio Department of Health will soon update its current order limiting visitors to nursing and assisted living homes to reflect that no visitors will be admitted.
For more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
Governor DeWine Announces School Closures
COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, he has ordered that all kindergarten through 12th grade schools close for a period of several weeks.
Beginning at the conclusion of the school day on Monday, March 16, all K-12 schools will close to students through Friday, April 3. This order includes all public, community, and private K-12 schools in the state, but does not apply to Ohio’s childcare system such as daycare centers and home-based childcare providers.
During this extended period of closure, schools should work to provide education through alternative means and school district leadership may make decisions on whether to use their school buildings. Staff members should continue to report to school as directed by administrators.
"We want to thank educators and administrators for the extraordinary efforts they will take to continue offering services during this time of national crisis," said Governor DeWine.
Over the next 72 hours, the Ohio Department of Education will develop guidance for K-12 schools to ensure the continuity of important student services, including a strategy for providing meals.
Governor DeWine Announces Fourth Confirmed COVID-19 Case, Limits Access to Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facilities
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH today gave an update on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio.
FOURTH CASE CONFIRMED:
Ohio now has four confirmed cases of COVID-19. The newest case involves a hospitalized man, age 53, in Stark County who has no travel history outside of the United States. Because this individual has had no known contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient, this is the first instance of “community spread” in Ohio - meaning there is no known source of infection. The local health department is investigating the individual’s contacts.
NURSING HOMES/ASSISTING LIVING:
The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Veterans Services issued an order limiting the number of visitors to one person per resident per day. Exceptions can be made for end-of-life cases. The order will require that these facilities screen all individuals at every point of entry, including employees, vendors, family members, etc. Each individual will be screened for signs of illness and must submit to a temperature reading to gain entrance. All facilities will be required to keep a log of all who are admitted access.
K-12:
Elementary, middle, and high schools will remain open. If schools are ordered to close in the future, the Governor will work with the legislature to waive certain requirements, such as testing requirements.
LARGE GATHERINGS:
Governor DeWine announced that an order will be forthcoming regarding mass gatherings.
“We shouldn’t panic, but we should take rational actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and others,” said Governor DeWine. “What we are seeing with this virus is predictable, and we have the ability to control risk. Every expert has told us that there is a risk in any kind of mass gathering, so you must ask yourself if going to a large event is worth the risk.”
Fore more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
