A modified version of last week’s coronavirus order was signed Thursday by Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud. The amended order condenses coronavirus guidelines and provides clarification on certain rules for restaurants and others.
The previous order lifted capacity rules for outdoor gatherings such as sporting events, festivals, fairs and parades, provided that appropriate COVID precautions, including mask wearing and social distancing, are followed.
Among the clarifications in the amended order:
- Six feet of separation between tables at restaurants, drinking establishments and banquet facilities must be maintained unless there is a physical barrier between them.
- Other than the facial covering requirements, the social distancing, congregating and capacity requirements of the order do not apply to religious observances and First Amendment activity, including activity by the media, as has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic.
- The K-12 mask requirement mandate remains in effect and unchanged.
The health director further encouraged people to be outside for activities and gatherings wherever possible, noting that the spread of COVID-19 is significantly less outdoors compared to indoors.
The state’s goal is to get to 50 cases per 100,000 over a two-week period, which would terminate Ohio’s active health orders.
Read the full amended order here.