COLUMBUS – Seeking to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Mike DeWine scolded businesses for not complying with directives to take steps to protect employees from the spread of COVID-19.
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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“I continue be notified of businesses that are recklessly risking lives of employees,” he said during his daily Statehouse briefing Friday. “As I continue to balance my responsibility to protect the people of Ohio with our attempt to keep this economy moving, let me make it clear that I will err on the side of protecting people.”
“The bad, reckless behavior must stop, ” DeWine said.
#ThankYou to the #Ohio business owners who are taking #COVID19 seriously and are working to keep their employees safe. For those who aren't – this bad, reckless behavior must stop now. #COVID19OhioReady #InThisTogetherOhio pic.twitter.com/Vg5Um7rNU9
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 21, 2020
DeWine says that, while many Ohio businesses are following the recommendations of the Ohio Department of Health to keep distance between employees and keep a clean environment, he has been notified that others are ignoring the orders.
Health agencies recommend maintaining six feet of separation between themselves and others, giving rise to the phrase “social distance” and countless Kevin Bacon jokes.
He ordered the health department’s coronavirus call center relocated because he believed the staffers were too close together.
DeWine recommended employees encourage all personnel capable of working from home to do so and to take the temperature of all employees before they report to work. Anyone with a temperature above 100.4 should stay home, DeWine said.