COLUMBUS — Calling it a “surgical, precise approach” Governor Mike DeWine is requiring residents of Franklin and six other Ohio counties hardest hit by the coronavirus to wear masks when out in public.
Today, I am announcing that @OHDeptofHealth will issue an order, effective 6:00 pm tomorrow, that will mandate wearing of face coverings in public in all counties that are designated Red Level 3 Public Health Emergency Alert. pic.twitter.com/cqbMqmajJ2
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) July 7, 2020
The order, also affecting residents of Butler, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Huron, Montgomery and Trumbull counties, takes effect at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday.
The seven counties at the second-highest level of Ohio’s four-tiered color-coded Public Health Advisory System, which provides guidance as to the severity of COVID-19 spread.
“We thought that this was a surgical, precise approach to go in those counties where they’re red-hot, frankly,” DeWine said.
With 10,587 confirmed and probable cases, Franklin County has the most cases of COVID-19 in the state, a number that increased by 177 from Monday to Tuesday.
Ohio added 1,277 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 Wednesday for a total of 60,181 with 2,991 deaths.
“What’s going on in these counties is very frightening, it should frighten the people of those counties,” DeWine said during a coronavirus briefing at the Statehouse Tuesday.
Tuesday’s hospitalization count of 134 was the highest number in at least 21 days.
The mask mandate comes after DeWine announced last week that he will not be issuing a statewide mandate as have a number of other states, including Ohio’s neighbor, West Virginia.
The move was applauded by Democratic central Ohio lawmakers.
“Masks are important so people can leave the house free from fear and so that schools and businesses can be open safely. They are a critical tool to fight this deadly pandemic,” said Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin).
“Given the alarming spread of COVID-19 in Franklin County in recent weeks, I applaud the Governor’s mask requirement. There is clear evidence demonstrating that wearing masks helps. We need to listen to our medical professionals and put public health first while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable neighbors, especially if we are to protect our local economy.” Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said.
“This mandate is a strong, significant and necessary step to combat spread through aerosols and droplets of the virus,” said Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville).
The Cincinnati police department tweeted that it would not enforce the requirement for Hamilton County and advised residents not call 911 to report violations.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones also said he would not enforce the mandate in that county, according to a report on WJW-TV.
In counties designated as Red Alert Level 3 or Purple Alert Level 4, residents are required to wear a face covering in any indoor location that is not a residence, when outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their household, or while waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, a taxi, a private car service, or a ride-sharing vehicle.
When a county rises to Alert Level 3, DeWine says it will automatically be included in the face-covering mandate. Any county that falls back to Orange Alert Level 2 will automatically be released.
The order does not apply to children under the age of 10 or any other minor who cannot safely wear a face covering and reflects the mask guidance in place for employees and businesses which does not require a person to wear a mask if their physician advises against it, if wearing a mask is prohibited by federal regulation, if communicating with the hearing impaired, when alone in an office or personal workspace.
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Short-term guidelines were announced Tuesday to help sports teams return to play.
https://twitter.com/LtGovHusted/status/1280570423969636352
An order from the Ohio Department of Health allows games and tournaments for contact sports through July 15, Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced.
Practices and open gyms with another team or club and inter-club/team play are also permitted so long as all teams agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the order.
Husted also announced an awareness campaign to engage athletes and younger Ohioans in efforts to slow the spread of the virus.