During his daily COVID-19 briefing today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined the several other states that have issued state-wide mask mandates and travel advisories.
Governor DeWine’s mask mandate requires persons in Ohio to wear a mask or face covering starting on July 23 at 6:00 p.m. Under the mandate, masks must be worn when persons are:
- In indoor public places;
- Outdoors, when unable to keep 6 ft. social distance from those not in your household; and
- Waiting for, riding, driving or operating public transportation, taxi, car service and private rideshare.
The mandate does not apply to persons under the age of 10, nor does it apply to the following
- Those with a medical condition, disability or communicating with someone with a disability;
- Those actively exercising or playing sports;
- Those who are officiants at religious services;
- Those who are actively involved in public safety; and
- Those who are actively eating or drinking.
Governor DeWine also issued a travel advisory (not an order) to people coming or returning to Ohio. In particular:
- If an individual comes to Ohio from a state that has a positivity rate of 15 percent or more, the advisory recommends that the individual self-quarantine for 14 days.
- Those states currently include: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rico.
As with the prior orders and mandates from Governor DeWine, the new mask mandate and travel advisory will be subject to modification as conditions change.