COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine announced Friday that June 19 would bring a new round of reopenings as Ohio’s economy slowly emerges from hibernation brought on by the coronavirus.
➡ NEW: Two weeks from today, casinos, racinos, amusement parks, and water parks, will be able to open. In addition, we received safety plans for the Memorial Golf Tournament to be held July 13-19. We are approving that plan.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 5, 2020
That is the day that casinos, racinos, amusement parks, water parks, outdoor theaters and other entertainment venues will be allowed to welcome guests again.
It was not immediately clear how the announcement would affect a lawsuit filed earlier in the day by the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law on behalf of Cedar Point, Kalahari Resorts and Kings Island.
The center says that an order given by health director Dr. Amy Acton closing the parks singles them out, even though other businesses have been allowed to reopen.
A spokesman for DeWine’s office declined to comment on the pending litigation.
DeWine also confirmed that the Memorial Tournament was approved to go forward on its new temporary dates of July 13-19 at Muirfield Village Golf Club as part of the PGA’s revamped schedule.
Tournament attendance will be capped at 10,000 spectators, masks will be distributed and no cash will be allowed.
On Thursday, the governor announced a reopening date for zoos, museums and other attractions.
The state on Monday reported 361 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 38,837 and 2,404 deaths, an increase of 27 since Sunday
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DeWine says an Ohio National Guardsman has been removed from policing protests in Washington D.C. after the FBI found he expressed white supremacist ideology online.
The state had sent 100 National Guard soldiers to the nation’s capital Tuesday at the request of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to assist in quelling violence over the death of George Floyd.
The governor says the Ohio National Guard and state’s Department of Public Safety are fully cooperating with the federal agency in its investigation into the soldier’s online activity.
DeWine said the guardsmen has been suspended from all missions at this time and it’s likely he will be ousted from the National Guard.
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The 2020 Susan G. Komen Columbus Race for the Cure that was rescheduled to Aug. 1 will now take place virtually as a result of ongoing COVID-19 concerns under the theme August One – One day. One time. One Mission. One Race.