News & Press

Ohio Department of Health Director’s Stay Safe Ohio Order

Published: Fri May 01 2020

Director's Order that Reopens Businesses, with Exceptions, and Continues a Stay Healthy and Safe at Home Order I, Amy Acton, MD, MPH, Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), pursuant to the authority granted to me in R.C. 3701.13 to "make special orders ... for preventing the spread of contagious or infectious diseases" Order the following to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into the State of Ohio:

1. Preamble: The sacrifices and incredible efforts that Ohioans have undertaken make it possible to begin to lift the mandatory requirements and restrictions that were needed during the initial phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The adjustment of these orders is able to proceed based upon the facts and the science existing at this time in Ohio, however, if the situation continues to improve, then more restrictions will be lifted, and if the situation deteriorates additional targeted restrictions will need to be made. While government can set the baseline, it should be understood that these orders set forth the minimum acts that must be taken and if people do more than the minimum to act safely, it will benefit everyone.

2. Business and operations to reopen. All businesses and operations in the State, except as defined below, are permitted to reopen within the State so long as all workplace safety standards are met. All businesses and operations, except as defined below, are encouraged to either reopen or remain open if they have not ceased operation during the prior Stay at Home Orders. Businesses and operations shall continue to comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Order, including by maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and members of the public at all times, including, but not limited to, when any customers are standing in line.

3. Stay at home or place of residence. With exceptions as outlined below, all individuals currently living within the State of Ohio are ordered to stay at home or at their place of residence except as allowed in this Order. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces when outside their residence, they must at all times and as much as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person, with the exception of family or household members, consistent with the Social Distancing Requirements set forth in this Order. All persons may leave their homes or place of residence only to participate in activities, businesses or operations as permitted in this Order. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Order, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and governmental and other entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and to use in their operation COVID-19 risk mitigation practices recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH)). This order does not apply to incarcerated individuals. Incarcerated individuals are to follow the guidance of the facility in which they are confined. Individuals whose residences are unsafe or become unsafe, such as victims of domestic violence, are permitted and urged to leave their home and stay at a safe alternative location. For purposes of this Order, homes or residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units, shelters, and similar facilities.

4. Prohibited activities. All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household and connected property, or living unit and connected property are prohibited, except for the limited purposes permitted by this Order. Any gathering of more than ten people is prohibited unless exempted by this Order. This is in accordance with President Trump's coronavirus guidelines issued March 16, 2020. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household, family or residence. This Section does not apply to weddings and funerals, although wedding receptions are subject to the ten-person limitation. This Section does not apply to religious facilities, entities and groups and religious gatherings. This Section does not apply to First Amendment protected speech, including petition or referendum circulators and any activity by the Media, which includes newspapers, television, radio and other media services.

5. Prohibited and permitted travel. People riding on public transit must comply with Social Distancing Requirements to the greatest extent feasible. This Order allows travel into or out of the State including travel that originates and ends outside of the state. However, persons entering the State with the intent to stay are asked to self-quarantine for fourteen days unless they are doing so for critical infrastructure or healthcare workforce purposes. For purposes of clarity this does not apply to persons who as part of their normal life live in one state and work or deliver services in another state. Persons who have tested positive for COVID-19, are presumptively diagnosed with COVID-19 or are exhibiting the symptoms identified in the screening guidance available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health shall not enter the State, unless they are doing so under medical orders for the purposes of medical care, are being transported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), are driving or being driven directly to a medical provider for purposes of initial care, or are a permanent resident of the State.

6. Elderly people and those who are vulnerable as a result of illness should take additional precautions. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including elderly people and those who are sick, are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care. According to CDC, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include people who are sixty-five years or older and people of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma;
People who have serious heart conditions;
People who are immune compromised;
People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher);
People with diabetes;
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis;
People with liver disease.

7. Businesses covered by this Order. For the purposes of this Order, covered businesses include any for-profit, non-profit, educational entities, or governmental entities ( other than federal) regardless of the nature of the service, the function it performs, or its corporate or entity structure. Nothing in this Order is intended to encroach on or interfere with the separation of powers under the Ohio Constitution.

8. Facial Coverings (Masks). Businesses must allow all customers, patrons, visitors, contractors, vendors and similar individuals to use facial coverings, except for specifically documented legal, life, health or safety considerations and limited documented security considerations. Businesses must require all employees to wear facial coverings, except for one of the following reasons:

Facial coverings in the work setting are prohibited by law or regulation;
Facial coverings are in violation of documented industry standards;
Facial coverings are not advisable for health reasons;
Facial coverings are in violation of the business's documented safety policies;
Facial coverings are not required when the employee works alone in an assigned work area; or
There is a functional (practical) reason for an employee not to wear a facial covering in the workplace.

Businesses must provide written justification, upon request, explaining why an employee is not required to wear a facial covering in the workplace. At a minimum, facial coverings (masks) should be cloth/fabric and cover an individual's nose, mouth, and chin.

9. Medical Care. The Director of Health Order signed March 17, 2020, for the management of nonessential surgeries and procedures throughout Ohio, is rescinded effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020. Governor DeWine asked hospitals and other providers to reassess all surgeries and procedures that were delayed consistent with the March 17 Order. Surgeries and procedures were to be prioritized and performed if there is a:

Threat to the patient's life if the surgery or procedure is delayed;
Threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system if delayed;
Risk of metastasis or progression of staging if delayed;
Risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms if delayed, or
Presence of severe symptoms causing an inability to perform activities of daily living.

Effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020, medical providers, including dentists, in the State may resume non-essential surgeries and procedures. This type of health care typically does not require an inpatient or overnight stay. These surgeries, procedures and other health care services, that utilize minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) have a minimal impact on inpatient hospital bed capacity, may resume only if the provider meets the following conditions:

The provider follows infection control and other enviromnental practices in accordance with the ODH and CDC guidelines;
The provider maintains adequate inventories of PPE, supplies, equipment, and medicine in their facility for each patient, considering all phases of care the patient may require,
The provider creates a plan for conservation and monitoring that may include decontamination and reuse protocols to preserve PPE, supplies, equipment, and medicine to be prepared for an influx of patients, including those who do not have COVID-19;
The provider evaluates access to a reliable supply chain to support continued operations for non-COVID-19 cases, and to respond to an unexpected surge in COVID-19 cases in a timely manner;
The provider frequently counts PPE inventory. For hospitals, this information will continue to be reported to the State's COVID-19 resource management system on a daily basis;
The provider defines processes for timely COVID-19 testing of patients and staff in accordance with the ODH guidelines;
The provider continues to use telehealth modalities whenever possible; and
The provider develops an actionable plan for communication, outreach, and equitable delivery of services that:
i. Recognizes the underlying social determinants of health and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority populations;
ii. Engages patients in discussion regarding the risk of contracting COVID-19; and
iii. Engages patients in shared decision making regarding the need for and timing of health care services. Surgeries and other procedures could still be delayed based upon mutual decisions made by patients and their clinicians.

As a provider prepares to restart non-essential health care services, hospitals and other providers should review the following types of considerations:

Pre-restmi considerations;
Prioritizing patient outreach and scheduling;
Patient Communication;
Patient Screening for COVID-19;
Facility Considerations;
Workforce/Staffing;
Sanitation Procedures;
Personnel Protective Equipment;
Supplies;
Patient and Staff Testing; and
Consultation of additional Resources.

Providers should continue to use telehealth modalities, whenever possible, and create or use existing internal strategies to prioritize cases based on the medical staff's governance and resolution structure. Providers should also follow the Responsible Restmi Ohio Guide for Health Care distributed by ODH.

10. Manufacturing, distribution and construction. Manufacturing, distribution and construction businesses that were ordered to cease all activities pursuant to the April 2, 2020, Amended Director of Health Order that ordered all persons in the State to stay home unless engaged in essential work or activity, shall stay closed until May 4, 2020. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on May 4, 2020, the closed manufacturing, distribution and construction businesses may reopen, subject to the Sector Specific COVID-19 Information and Checklist for Businesses/Employers set forth in Section 21 of this Order.

11. General Office Environments. General office environments that were ordered to cease all activities pursuant to the April 2, 2020, Amended Director of Health Order that ordered all persons in the State to stay home unless engaged in essential work or activity, shall stay closed until May 4, 2020. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on May 4, 2020, the closed general office environments may reopen, subject to the Sector Specific COVID-19 Information and Checklist for Businesses/Employers set forth in Section 21 of this Order. Businesses should strongly encourage as many employees as possible to work from home by implementing policies in areas such as teleworking and video conferencing, subject to the discretion of the employer.

12. Retail. Retail establishments and facilities that were ordered to cease all activities pursuant to the April 2, 2020, Amended Director of Health Order that ordered all persons in the State to stay home unless engaged in essential work or activity, shall stay closed until May 12, 2020. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on May 12, 2020, the closed retail establishments and facilities may reopen, subject to the Sector Specific COVID-19 Information and Checklist for Businesses/Employers set forth in Section 21 of this Order. Currently closed retail establishments and facilities, that will restrict their operations to curbside pickup, delivery or appointment-only (limited to 10 customers at any one time) may reopen effective May 1 at 11:59 p.m.

13. Closed Businesses and Operations. For the purposes of this Order, the following businesses and operations are to remain closed until this Order is amended or rescinded:

Schools. The Second Amended Director of Health Order signed April 29, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that closed all K-12 schools in the State remains in effect;
Restaurants and Bars. The Director of Health Order signed March 15, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that closed restaurants and bars to all but cany-out and delivery activities in the State remains in effect;
Personal Appearance/Beauty. The Director of Health Order signed March 19, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that closed hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, tanning facilities, massage therapy locations and like businesses in the State remains in effect.;
Adult Day Support or Vocational Habilitation Services in a Congregate Setting. The Amended Director of Health Order signed March 21, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that prohibited adult day support or vocational habilitation services in a congregate setting in the State remains in effect;
Older Adult Day Care Services and Senior Centers. The Director of Health Order signed March 24, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that prohibited older adult day care services and closed senior centers in the State remains in effect;
Child Care Services. The Director of Health Order signed March 24, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that prohibited child care services, except for facilities with a Temporary Pandemic Child Care License, in the State remains in effect; and
Entertainment/Recreation/Gymnasiums. The Director of Health Order signed March 21, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that closed all indoor family entertainment businesses and venues such as laser tag facilities, roller skating rinks, ice skating rinks, arcades and indoor miniature golf facilities, as well as, adult and child skill or chance game facilities in the State remains in effect. The Amended Director of Health Order signed March 17, 2020, or as it may be subsequently amended, that closed auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, parades, fairs, festivals, bowling alleys, health clubs, fitness centers, workout facilities, gyms, yoga studios, indoor trampoline parks, indoor water parks, movie and other theatres (excluding drive-in theatres), performance theatres, all public recreation centers, and indoor sports facilities in the State remains in effect. All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including, but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children's play centers, playgrounds, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, concert and music halls, and country clubs or social clubs shall be closed. Recreational sports tournaments, organized recreational sports leagues, residential and day camps shall be prohibited. Swimming pools, whether public or private, shall be closed, unless it is a swimming pool for a single household. Campgrounds, including recreational camps and recreational vehicle (RV) parks, shall be closed, except that persons residing in recreational vehicles ("RVs") at campgrounds who genuinely have no other viable place of residence may remain in the campground. This campground closure also excludes cabins, mobile homes, or other self-contained units, meant for single families and where preexisting full season agreements already have been established. An example would be individuals who have part-time preestablished seasonal sites at campgrounds for the entire season or a long term property interest or lease agreement with a campground for residential activity. Such persons should comply with all applicable guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health regarding social distancing.

14. Minimum Basic Operations. Any activity, business or operation, if ordered closed, is still pe1mitted to engage in Minimum Basic Operations. For the purposes of this Order, Minimum Basic Operations include the following, provided that employees comply with Social Distancing Requirements, to the extent possible, while canying out such operations:

The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business's inventory, preserve the condition of the business's physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions; and
The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.

15. Travel. For the purposes of this Order, permitted Travel includes travel for any of the following purposes. Individuals engaged in any Travel must comply with all Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section.

Any travel related to the provision of or access to activities, businesses and operations that are permitted to be open under this Order or Minimum Basic Operations;
Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons;
Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services;
Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction;
Travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement; and
Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the State. Individuals are strongly encouraged to verify that their transpo1iation out of the State remains available and functional prior to commencing such travel.

16. Social Distancing Requirements. For purposes of this Order, Social Distancing Requirements includes maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.

Required measures. Essential Businesses and Operations and businesses engaged in Minimum Basic Operations must take proactive measures to ensure compliance with Social Distancing Requirements, including where possible:
i. Designate six-foot distances. Designating with signage, tape, or by other means sixfoot spacing for employees and customers in line to maintain appropriate distance;
ii. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products. Having hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for employees and customers;
iii. Separate operating hours for vulnerable populations. Implementing separate operating hours for elderly and vulnerable customers; and
iv. Online and remote access. Posting online whether a facility is open and how best to reach the facility and continue services by phone or remotely.

17. Intent of this Order. The intent of this Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling additional day to day activities to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible. When people need to leave their places of residence to perform or to otherwise facilitate authorized activities necessary for continuity of social and commercial life, they should at all times and as much as reasonably possible comply with Social Distancing Requirements. All provisions of this Order should be interpreted to effectuate this intent.

18. Enforcement. This Order may be enforced by State and local law enforcement to the extent set forth in Ohio law. Specifically, pursuant to R.C 3701.352 "[n]o person shall violate any rule the director of health or department of health adopts or any order the director or department of health issues under this chapter to prevent a threat to the public caused by a pandemic, epidemic, or bioterrorism event." R.C. 3701.56 provides that "[b]oards of health of a general or city health district, health authorities and officials, officers of state institutions, police officers, sheriffs, constables, and other officers and employees of the state or any county, city, or township, shall enforce quarantine and isolation orders, and the rules the department of health adopts." To the extent any public official enforcing this Order has questions regarding what services are prohibited under this Order, the Director of Health hereby delegates to local health departments the authority to answer questions in writing and consistent with this Order, but does not require local health departments to provide advisory opinions to nongovernmental entities.

19. Penalty. A violation of R.C. 3701.352 is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, which can include a fine of not more than $750 or not more than 90 days in jail, or both.

20. General COVID-19 Information and Checklist for Businesses/Employers. Business and employers are to take the following actions:

Strongly encourage as many employees as possible to work from home by implementing policies in areas such as teleworking and video conferencing, subject to the discretion of the employer;
Actively encourage sick employees to stay home until they are free of fever (without the use of medication) for at least 72 hours (three full days) AND symptoms have improved for at least 72 hours AND at least seven days have passed since symptoms first began. Do not require a healthcare provider's note to validate the illness or return to work of employees sick with acute respiratory illness; healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way;
Ensure that your sick leave policies are up to date, flexible, and non-punitive to allow sick employees to stay home to care for themselves, children, or other family members. Consider encouraging employees to do a self-assessment each day to check if they have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath);
Separate employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms from other employees and send them home immediately. Restrict their access to the business until they have recovered;
Reinforce key messages - stay home when sick, use cough and sneeze etiquette, and practice hand hygiene - to all employees, and place posters in areas where they are most likely to be seen. Provide protection supplies such as soap and water, hand sanitizer, tissues, and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees;
Frequently perform enhanced environmental cleaning of commonly touched surfaces, such as workstations, countertops, railings, door handles, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces can be wiped down by employees before each use; and
Be prepared to change business practices if needed to maintain critical operations (e.g., identify alternative suppliers, prioritize customers, or temporarily suspend some of your operations).
Comply with all applicable guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health regarding social distancing.

21. Sector Specific COVID-19 Information and Checklist for Businesses/Employers. Businesses and employers, whether currently open or reopening, are to take the following actions: Manufacturing, distribution & construction:

Ensure minimum 6 feet between people, if not possible, install barriers;
Employees must perform daily symptom assessment that should include taking temperature with a thermometer and monitoring for fever. Also watching for coughing or trouble breathing;
Require employees to stay home if symptomatic;
Consider having distributers and guests wear face coverings at all times;
Require regular handwashing;
Stagger or limit arrivals of employees and guests;
Have employees work from home whenever possible;
Daily disinfection of desks and workstations;
Change shift patterns (e.g. fewer shifts);
Stagger lunch and break times;
Daily deep disinfection of high-contact surfaces;
Space factory floor to allow for distancing;
Regulate max number of people in cafeterias/common spaces;
Establish maximum capacity;
Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms while at work;
Contact the local health district about suspected cases or exposures; and
Shutdown shop/floor for deep sanitation if possible.

Consumer, retail & services

Ensure minimum 6 feet between employees, if not possible, install barriers;
Employees must perform daily symptom assessment that should include taking temperature with a thermometer and monitoring for fever. Also watching for coughing or trouble breathing;
Require employees to stay home if symptomatic;
Consider having customers wear face coverings at all times;
Require regular handwashing by employees;
Place hand sanitizers in high-contact locations;
Clean high-touch items after each use (e.g. carts, baskets);
Ensure minimum 6 feet between customers;
Specify hours for at-risk populations (e.g. elderly);
Ask customers and guests not to enter if symptomatic;
Stagger entry of customers and guests;
Post social distancing signage and disinfect high-contact surfaces hourly;
Clean merchandise before stocking if possible;
Establish maximum capacity;
Discontinue self-service food stations, product samples;
Food courts remain closed;
Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms while at work;
Contact the local health district about suspected cases or exposures; and
Shutdown shop/floor for deep sanitation if possible.

General office environments

Ensure minimum 6 feet between employees, if not possible, install barriers;
Personnel should work from home when possible;
Employees must perform daily symptom assessment that should include taking temperature with a thermometer and monitoring for fever. Also watching for coughing or trouble breathing;
Require employees to stay home if symptomatic;
Consider having customers wear face coverings at all times;
Require regular handwashing by employees;
Reduce sharing of work materials;
Limit travel as much as possible;
Stagger arrival of all employees and guests;
Post signage on health safety guidelines in common areas;
Frequent disinfection of desks, workstations, and high-contact surfaces;
Daily disinfection of common areas;
Cancel/postpone in person events when social distancing guidelines cannot be met;
No buffet in cafeteria;
Utilize disposable tableware and other materials;
Establish maximum capacity;
Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms while at work;
Contact the local health district about suspected cases or exposures; and
Shutdown shop/floor for deep sanitation if possible.

22. No limitation on authority. Nothing in this Order shall, in any way, alter or modify any existing legal authority allowing the State or any local health department from ordering (1) any quarantine or isolation that may require an individual to remain inside a particular residential property or medical facility for a limited period of time, including the duration of this public health emergency, or (2) any closure of a specific location for a limited period of time, including the duration of this public health emergency.

23. Savings clause. If any provision of this Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Order, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Order are declared to be severable.

24. Previous Orders superseded. This Order supersedes, only to the extent that it conflicts, and amends any previous Order which conflicts with the provisions of this Order.

25. Dispute Resolution. If any local health department issues a determination under Section 18 of this Order that is in conflict with a determination issued by a different local health department, then the conflict may be submitted to the ODH by either of the local health departments or an entity or person subject to the determination. A Dispute Resolution Commission appointed by the Director of Health shall review the conflict and make a determination as to the application of this Order to the conflict. The decision of the Dispute Resolution Commission shall be final.

26. Duration. This Order shall be effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020 and remains in full force and effect until 11:59 p.m. on May 29, 2020, unless the Director of the Ohio Department of Health rescinds or modifies this Order at a sooner time and date.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, is caused by the SARS-Co V- 2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person. The virus is spread between individuals who are in close contact with each other (within about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that individuals can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes.

On January 23, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Journal Entry making COVID- 19 a Class A repo1iable disease in Ohio.
On January 28, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health hosted the first statewide call with local health departments and healthcare providers regarding COVID-19.
On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern.
On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary, Alex M. Azar II, declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the nation's healthcare community in responding to COVID-19.
On February 1, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a statewide Health Alert Network to provide local health departments and healthcare providers with updated guidance for COVID-19 and revised Person Under Investigation (PUI) criteria.
On February 3, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health trained over 140 personnel to staff a call center for COVID-19, in the event it was needed.
On February 5, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health began updating and notifying the media of the number of PUis in Ohio every Tuesday and Thursday.
On February 6, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health updated all agency assistant directors and chiefs of staff on COVID-19 preparedness and status during the Governor's cabinet meeting.
On February 7, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency met to conduct advance planning for COVID-19.
On February 13, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health conducted a Pandemic Tabletop Exercise with State agencies to review responsive actions should there be a pandemic in Ohio.
On February 14, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health held a conference call with health professionals across the state. The purpose of the call was to inform and engage the healthcare community in Ohio. Presentations were provided by the Department of Health, Hamilton County Public Health, and the Ohio State University.
On February 27, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency briefed the directors of State agencies during the Governor's cabinet meeting regarding preparedness and the potential activation of the Emergency Operations Center.
On February 28, 2020, the "Governor DeWine, Health Director Update COVID-19 Prevention and Preparedness Plan" was sent to a broad range of associations representing healthcare, dental, long-term care, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, business, public transit, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and local governments.
On March 2, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health activated a Joint Information Center to coordinate COVID-19 communications.
On March 5, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health hosted the Governor's Summit on COVID-19 Preparedness, a meeting with the Governor, cabinet agency directors, local health department commissioners, and their staff.
On March 6, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health opened a call center to answer questions from the public regarding COVID-19.
On March 9, 2020, testing by the Department of Health confirmed that three (3) patients were positive for COVID-19 in the State of Ohio. This confirms the presence of a potentially dangerous condition which may affect the health, safety and welfare of citizens of Ohio.
On March 9, 2020, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency activated the Emergency Operations Center.
On March 9, 2020, the Governor Declared a State of Emergency in Executive Order 2020-0lD.
On March 11, 2020, the head of the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
On March 11, 2020, testing by the Ohio Department of Health confirmed that one (1) more patient was positive for COVID-19 in the State of Ohio.
On March 11, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health and Veterans Services issued a Joint Directors' Order to limit access to Ohio nursing homes and similar facilities.
On March 15, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order to limit access to Ohio's jails and detention facilities.
On March 15, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order to limit the sale of food and beverages, liquor, beer and wine to carry-out and delivery only.
On March 15, 2020, the CDC issued Interim Guidance for mass gatherings or large community events, stating that such events that consist of 50 or more people should be cancelled or postponed.
On March 16, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order closing polling locations for the March 17, 2020, primary election.
On March 17, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order for the management of nonessential surgeries and procedures throughout Ohio.
On March 17, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued an Amended Director's Order to limit and/or prohibit mass gatherings and the closure of venues in the State of Ohio.
On March 19, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order closing hair salons, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, and massage therapy locations.
On March 21, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order closing older adult day care services and senior centers.
On March 21, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order closing family ente1iainment centers and internet cafes.
On March 22, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order that all persons are to stay at home unless engaged in essential work or activity. On March 24, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director's Order that closed facilities providing child care services.
On March 30, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued an Amended Director's Order that closed all K-12 schools in the State of Ohio.
On April 2, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued an Amended Director's Order that all persons are to stay at home unless engaged in essential work or activity.

Multiple areas of the United States are experiencing "community spread" of the virus that causes COVID-19. Community spread, defined as the transmission of an illness for which the source is unknown, means that isolation of known areas of infection is no longer enough to control spread.

The CDC reports that people are most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest) however some spread might be possible before people show symptoms although that is not the main way the virus spreads.

Mass gatherings (10 or more persons) increase the risk of community transmission of the virus COVID-19.

Accordingly, to avoid an imminent threat with a high probability of widespread exposure to COVID-19 with a significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of people in the general population, including the elderly and people with weakened immune systems and chronic medical conditions, I hereby ORDER all persons are to continue to stay at home or their place of residence unless they are engaged in Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential and Umestricted Businesses and Operations as set forth in this Order. This Order shall remain in full force and effect until 11:59 p.m. on May 29, 2020, unless the Director of the Ohio Department of Health rescinds or modifies this Order at a sooner time and date. To the extent any public official enforcing this Order has questions regarding what services are prohibited under this Order, the Director of Health hereby delegates to local health departments the authority to answer questions in writing and consistent with this Order.

Amy Acton, MD, MPH
Director of Health
April 30, 2020