stay-at-home order
Ohio’s stay-at-home order ended on May 19. Governor Dewinesigned “Ohioans Protecting Ohioans Urgent Health Advisory,” which replaced the state’s stay-at-home order, “Stay Safe Ohio.” For more information, please click here
The governor and Ohio Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton issued a mandatory “stay-at-home” order starting 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2020. The order will stay in place until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020. The stay-at-home order will start to be enforced Tuesday, March 24, 2020, by local health departments and local law enforcement. Violation of the order is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $750 fine.
The order requires all Ohio residents to stay at home but allows exceptions for essential activities such as going to work at an essential government service or business, seeking health and safety services, going to the grocery store or pharmacy for necessary supplies and services, and some outdoor activities, including waking a walk, walking a dog or going to a park, though playgrounds are closed. Residents can return home from out of state and can leave the state.
The order defines essential businesses and operations as anything that applies to health care, public health operations, human services operations, essential government functions essential infrastructure and the following:
· Stores that sell groceries and medicine
· Agriculture for food and marijuana
· Charitable and Social Services organizations
· Religious entities: Any religious gathering of people, and this includes weddings and funerals.
· Gas Stations and transportation
· Financial and insurance institutions.
· Hardware and supply stores
· Critical trade
· Mail, post, shipping, delivery and pick-up services
· Laundry services
· Restaurants for consumption off-premise
· Supplies to work from home
· Supplies for essential businesses and operations
· Transportation
· Home-based care and services
· Residential facilities and shelters
· Professional services: Includes legal, accounting, insurance, and real estate.
· Critical labor union functions
· Hotels and motels
· Funeral services
Business that are allowed to stay open must follow good guidelines in terms of health, including maintaining six-foot social distancing for employees and members of the public, including, but not limited to, customers standing in lines, having hand sanitizing products available for employee and customers and separate hours for vulnerable populations. Other businesses can also remain open if employees are working from home.