By Demetrius Robinson

The State of Ohio has extended its orders regarding the reopening of businesses during the pandemic and implemented mask mandates in counties deemed to be at highest risk for the spread of the coronavirus.

AMENDED ORDER

On July 6, the Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Health issued an amended order that extended the expiration date for most previous orders including the following:

  1. Reopening Hair Salons, Day Spas, Nail Salons, Barber Shops, Tattoo Parlors, Body Piercing Locations and Tanning Facilities, issued May 14, 2020
  2. Reopening Campgrounds, issued May 20, 2020
  3. Providing guidance to Baseball, Softball, Batting Cages, Golf Course, Miniature Gold, Local and Public Pools, Aquatic Centers, Tennis Facilities, Skills Training and General Non-Contact Sports (including Bowling Alleys), issued May 22, 2020
  4. Reopening Gyms, Dance Instruction Studios and other Personal Fitness Venues, issued May 22, 2020
  5. Order for Business Guidance and Social Distancing, issued May 29, 2020

Previously, the Director’s orders included an expiration date. However, under the July 6 order, all orders will only expire upon either the rescission of the Governor’s State of Emergency order issued March 14, or upon the Director rescinding or modifying the orders.

MANDATORY MASKS

On July 8, the Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Health issued an order mandating masks in counties that reach red level 3, in the state’s Public Health Advisory Alert System. As of July 9, that includes Butler, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Fairfield, Franklin, Hamilton, Lorain, Montgomery, Pickaway, Summit, Trumbull and Wood counties.

Under the order, individuals in affected counties are required to wear face coverings:

  1. When in any indoor location that is not a residence,
  2. When outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their household
  3. When waiting for, riding, driving or operating public transportation, a taxi, a private car service or a ride-sharing vehicle.

Exceptions to the order include:

  1. Individuals under the age of 10
  2. Those with a medical condition, including respiratory conditions that restrict breathing, mental health conditions or disability contraindicates the wearing of a mask
  3. Those who are communicating or trying to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
  4. Those who are in an enclosed space, such as an office, that is not intended for public use
  5. Those actively involved in exercise in a gym or indoor facility, if six feet of separation exists
  6. Those participating in athletic practice, scrimmage or competition permitted under another Ohio Department of Health order
  7. Those who work in public safety, including law enforcement, firefighters and paramedics
  8. Someone who is seated and actively consuming food or beverage in a restaurant or bar
  9. When face coverings are in violation of documented industry standards
  10. When face coverings are in violation of a business’s documented safety policy
  11. Those who are actively participating in broadcast communications
  12. An individual who is an officiant of a religious service

If you have any questions or would like guidance regarding how the Order applies to your business or individual circumstances, please reach out to KJK Partner Demetrius Robinson at djr@kjk.com or (614) 427-5749 or any of the members of our Coronavirus Response Team.