In his daily press briefing on Sunday, March 22, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton had signed a statewide "stay at home" order, essentially an order to shelter in place.
The order goes into effect Monday night (March 23) at 11:59 p.m. and will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. April 6.
Essential businesses are allowed to stay open, and those businesses have been determined based on a Homeland Security document identifying essential workers — health care and public health operations, human services operations, essential governmental functions and essential infrastructure, plus/including:
- Stores that sell groceries and medicine
- Food, beverage and licensed marijuana production and agriculture — this also includes businesses that care for animals, like animal shelters and rescues
- Organizations that provide charitable and social services — places that provide food, shelter and social services to those in need
- Religious entities — this includes wedding and funerals
- Media
- Gas stations and transportation-associated businesses
- Financial and insurance institutions (note: most banks have moved to a drive-thru-only model)
- Hardware and supply stores
- Critical trades (plumbers, electricians, HVAC, janitorial staff, painters, movers, etc.)
- Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, pick-up
- Educational institutions, but this does not amend or change the previous school closure orders
- Laundry services
- Restaurants for consumption off-premises — this includes both in-house and third-party delivery, carry-out, drive-thru and curbside pick-up
- Supplies to work from home and supplies for essential business operations
- Transportation — this includes airlines, taxis, Uber/Lyft, marinas and more
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities and shelters
- Professional services (lawyers, accountants, real estate agents)
- Places that manufacture, distribute and supply critical products and industries
- Critical labor union functions
- Hotels and motels
- Funeral services
All people at the essential businesses must comply with social distancing requirements.
If you need to leave your home, you can leave for the following reasons:
- For health and safety
- For necessary supplies and services
- For outdoor activity
- For certain types of work (see above)
- To take care of others
- This order has also closed all places of public amusement.
