Ohioans Protecting Ohioans order issued

On May 20, 2020, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued a revised Director’s Order that rescinded or amended parts of the “Stay Safe Ohio Order” that has been in effect since April 30. Dr. Acton also signed an “Urgent Health Advisory: Ohioans Protecting Ohioans.”

Governor Mike DeWine, while previewing these actions in his May 19 press conference, stated, “we are now moving from orders to strong recommendations. This is a new phase in our battle against the virus.” Below is a summary of the impact of collective actions taken by the administration.

The existing protocols and guidance for businesses, including the industry specific operating requirements, remain in effect. Also still in place is the ban on gatherings of 10 people or more and maintaining six feet of social distancing. The new order continues to stress the importance of good hygiene, including the washing of hands.

While the administration, under previous orders, imposed limited restrictions on travel, the new order lifts restrictions on nonessential travel. However, the governor emphasized that while nonessential travel is permitted, it is still discouraged. Travelers coming from out-of-state are no longer strongly asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Still remaining in effect is the prohibition on travel into the state for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not recovered, those who are presumptively diagnosed with COVID-19, and those who are exhibiting the symptoms identified in the screening guidance available from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health. These individuals are prohibited from entering the state of Ohio unless they are doing so under medical orders for purposes of medical care, are being transported by emergency medical services EMS, are driving or being driven directly to a medical provider for the purpose of initial care, or are a permanent resident of Ohio.

In addition, the administration issued a “Camp Safe Ohio Order” with protocols for campgrounds that may reopen on May 21.

The governor urged at-risk Ohioans to stay at home as much as possible and called on all Ohioans to continue practicing virus precautions, even as the state continues lifting restrictions.

On May 19, Governor DeWine also announced that the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will distribute at least two million non-medical face coverings to Ohio employers that are covered by the BWC.