On April 27, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Dr. Amy Acton, MD, MPH, made several major announcements regarding Ohio’s plan to responsibly restart Ohio’s economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning Friday, May 1, all medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimize use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.
Healthcare providers and facilities that plan to resume providing these services must adhere to infection control practices, have sufficient PPE, and talk with patients about the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Surgeries and procedures that, if not performed, would cause a threat to a patient’s life, a threat of the spread of cancer or the permanent dysfunction of a limb or organ, the presence of severe symptoms causing an inability to perform activities of daily living, and/or the risk of rapidly worsening symptoms, have always been permitted even if an overnight stay is necessary.
The guiding principles of the Responsible Restart Ohio plan are protecting the health of employees, customers, and their families; supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19; and responsibly getting Ohio back to work.
“We put this plan together based on all the information we have about how dangerous COVID-19 still is right now, balanced with the fact that it’s also dangerous to have people not working,” said Gov. DeWine. “COVID-19 is still out there. It’s still killing people. We’re asking Ohioans to be reasonable and rational. Please don’t take huge chances, and please use common sense when you go out and where you go out.”
Beginning Monday, May 4, manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full Responsible Restart Ohio plan for manufacturing, distribution, and construction can be found online at coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.
Beginning Monday, May 4, general office environments may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full Responsible Restart Ohio plan for general office environments can be found online at coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.
Beginning Tuesday, May 12, consumer, retail, and services may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full Responsible Restart Ohio plan for consumer, retail and services can be found online at coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.
- Requiring face coverings for all employees, and recommending them for clients and customers at all times
- Conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees to determine if they should work
- Maintaining good hygiene at all times such as hand washing and social distancing
- Cleaning and sanitizing workplaces throughout the day and at the close of business or between shifts
- Limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines.
“I have an obligation as the Governor of Ohio to get people back to work and keep them safe. Opening everything up at once would not be consistent with the obligation to keep people safe,” said Gov. DeWine. “Our Responsible Restart Ohio plan is the best guarantee that Ohioans will feel safe going to stores and employees will feel safe going to work. I’m optimistic about our future, but we can’t be reckless.”
Continued Closures:
The following types of establishments are ordered to remain closed due to their increased risk of potential COVID-19 exposure:
- Schools and daycares
- Dine-in restaurants and bars (carry-out is still permitted)
- Personal appearance and beauty businesses
- Older adult daycare services and senior centers
- Adult day support or vocational rehabilitation services in group settings
- Entertainment, recreation, and gyms.
For greater detail on the types of businesses that must stay closed, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.
Stay at Home Order/Large Gatherings:
Because the danger of COVID-19 still exists, Ohio’s Stay at Home order will remain in effect to encourage Ohioans to continue making reasonable, rational decisions about leaving home.
Although anyone is susceptible to getting sick with COVID-19, those who are 65 or older are encouraged to be especially careful, as are those with high-risk conditions such as chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or liver disease, as well as those who are immunocompromised or obese.
Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.
More detailed information on the Responsible Restart Ohio plan can be found online at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.