Governor Mike DeWine unveiled his plan for re-opening the state this afternoon including five protocols for all businesses. This consisted of a “no mask, no work, no service, no exception” requirement for employees and clients, and limits on capacity to no more than 50 percent of fire code restrictions.  He went on to set the following schedule for beginning to open up the state’s economy while balancing the openings with the need to keep the coronavirus relatively at bay. “We are opening where there is less risk.”

Friday, May 1: Lifting the ban on elective surgeries to allow procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay.

Monday, May 4: Re-open manufacturing, distribution and construction. Sector Specific Guidelines

Monday, May 4: Re-open general office work.  Sector Specific Guidelines

Tuesday, May 12: Re-open consumer, retail and services.   Sector Specific Guidelines

5 PROTOCOLS FOR ALL OHIO BUSINESSES ANNOUNCED:

1. No mask, no work, no service, no exception. Require face coverings for employees and clients/customers at all times.
2. Conduct daily health assessments by employers and employees (self-evaluation) to determine if “fit for duty.”
3. Maintain good hygiene at all times – hand washing, sanitizing and social distancing.
4. Clean and sanitize workplaces throughout workday and at the close of business or between shifts.
5. Limit capacity to meet social distancing guidelines.
   • Establish maximum capacity at 50% of fire code.
   • And, use appointment setting where possible to limit congestion.

TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHEN A COVID-19 INFECTION IS IDENTIFIED:

• Immediately report employee or customer infections to the local health district.
• Work with local health department to identify potentially exposed individuals to help facilitate appropriate communication/contact tracing.
• Shutdown shop/floor for deep sanitation is possible.
• Professionally clean and sanitize site/location.
• Reopen in consultation with the local health department.

What Businesses are Still Closed? 

The following businesses and operations are to remain closed per existing Stay at Home Orders unless a variance is granted or until related orders are amended or rescinded.

• K-12 schools.
• Restaurants and bars.
  • Carry-out and delivery services are permitted.
• Personal appearance/beauty services.
  • Includes hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, tanning facilities, massage therapy locations and similar businesses.
• Older adult day care services and senior centers.
• Adult day support or vocational habilitation services in congregate settings.
• Rooming and boarding houses, and workers’ camps.
• Entertainment/recreation/gymnasium sites.
• Includes, but is not limited to:
  • All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, such as:
    • Laser tag facilities, roller skating rinks, ice skating rinks, arcades, indoor miniature golf facilities, bowling alleys, indoor trampoline parks, indoor water parks, arcades, and adult and child skill or chance game facilities remain closed.
    • Gambling industries.
    • Auditoriums, stadiums, arenas.
    • Movie theatres, performance theatres, and concert and music halls
    • Public recreation centers and indoor sports facilities.
    • Parades, fairs, festivals, and carnivals.
    • Amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor water parks, children’s play centers, playgrounds, and funplexes.
    • Aquariums, zoos, museums, historical sites, and similar institutions.
    • Country clubs and social clubs.
  • Spectator sports, recreational sports tournaments and organized recreational sports leagues.
  • Health clubs, fitness centers, workout facilities, gyms, and yoga studios.
  • Swimming pools, whether public or private, except swimming pools for single households.
  • Residential and day camps.
  • Campgrounds, including recreational camps and recreational vehicle (RV) parks.
    • Excludes people living in campground RVs with no other viable place of residence.
    • Excludes people living in cabins, mobile homes, or other fixed structures that are meant for single families and where preexisting residential activity already has been established. (E.g., for people who have part-time preestablished residences at campgrounds for the summer months.)

Additional Links of Interest:

Grant Street Consultant’s Latest Blog: Ohio Covid-Unemployment Reaching 22% – But is Mitch Right, should States go Bankrupt?