COLUMBUS – Columbus health officials say they will begin actively enforcing the state’s order that businesses allowed to remain open under the Department of Health’s “stay-at-home” order practice social distancing and basic hygiene to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The Ohio Department of Health call center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to answer questions regarding COVID-19 at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
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Ohio Department of Health coronavirus website
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Teams of Columbus Public Health “sanitarians” will visit businesses to assess the number of people working, if they are able to work at a safe distance from one another and if soap, water or hand sanitizer are available, Mayor Andrew Ginther and other officials said.
Those not in compliance will receive a warning letter and second violation will result in citations or criminal charges.
“We are pleased that most people and businesses are doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by following the Ohio Department of Health’s orders. However, we continue to receive complaints from residents that some businesses are not following these orders,” said
health commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts.
“We are at a critical moment in slowing the spread of this highly infectious disease in our community and we must assure that employees and residents are safe,” Ginther said.
One of the sections of health director Dr. Amy Acton’s March 22 order requires businesses that are allowed to remain open because they are considered essential under federal guidelines must follow requirements for keeping employees safe from the virus, including maintaining six feet of separation between workers, encourage frequent hand-washing and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted warned this week that even essential businesses which do not follow the oft-cited Item 18 will be closed.
Roberts says her agency will not weigh in on whether a company or workers are essential, only if the place of employment is in compliance with the order.