COVID-19 Update: Class of 2020 Graduation April 29, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor DeWine reminded Ohio educators that they must ensure social distancing during any and all graduation ceremonies. The Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Health today issued the following suggestions for local schools and health departments: Virtual graduation ceremonies (preferred) Drive-in ceremonies [...]
COVID-19 Update: Criminal Justice Grants April 29, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor DeWine announced that nearly $16 million in grant funding is now available for local law enforcement agencies, probation and parole offices, local courts, victim service providers, and adult, juvenile, and community corrections agencies. This funding was awarded to the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice [...]
COVID-19 Update: Employee Face-Covering Exceptions April 29, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Lt. Governor Husted today reemphasized that face coverings are required for employers and employees while on the job. Exceptions for employers and employees include when: An employee in a particular position is prohibited by a law or regulation from wearing a face covering while on the [...]
COVID-19 Update: PPE Delivery April 29, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor DeWine announced today that the state of Ohio has shipped 4.1 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to local emergency management agencies (EMA) across Ohio. Although this is not the first shipment of PPE, this is the largest one-time distribution of PPE from the [...]
COVID-19 Update: Advisory Groups on Restaurants, Barbershops, and Salons April 28, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that he will form two separate advisory groups to develop best practices for reopening dine-in restaurants, barbershops, and salons. Relevant business associations, along with Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder, Senate President Larry Obhof, House [...]
COVID-19 Update: Face Coverings April 28, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor DeWine announced today that the state of Ohio will not require that customers entering retail establishments wear face coverings. Wearing face coverings in public is still, however, strongly recommended. “As Governor, it is my responsibility to make the tough decisions, but it is also my [...]
COVID-19 Update: Praise for Governor DeWine’s Responsible RestartOhio Plan April 27, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Business organizations across Ohio praised Governor DeWine's Responsible RestartOhio plan, which will restart Ohio's economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. OHIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, OHIO COUNCIL OF RETAIL MERCHANTS, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES OHIO CHAPTER, OHIO FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, OHIO [...]
COVID-19 Update: Foster Care April 24, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor DeWine announced today that the state will cover the costs to keep more than 200 youth who are aging out of foster care in the foster care system until the COVID-19 pandemic ends. “For many of these young people, their future looks uncertain because of [...]
COVID-19 Update: Contact Tracing April 24, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—The increased testing capacity in Ohio will also allow for enhanced contact exposure tracing throughout the state. “Voluntary contact exposure tracing is one of the strongest weapons we have to help keep our families, our friends, and ourselves healthy,” said Governor DeWine. “For several weeks, we [...]
COVID-19 Update: Reagent and Testing Swabs April 24, 2020 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Reagent: Governor DeWine announced that members of the newly formed Testing Strike Team, led by former Governors Celeste and Taft, have reached an agreement with Thermo Fisher, a company that makes reagent, that will substantially expand COVID-19 testing capacity in Ohio. “This is an [...]
