CEDARVILLE, Ohio — On Monday afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press briefing to address the state's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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During the briefing, Gov. DeWine announced that new eligibility guidelines will go into effect this week for Ohioans looking to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
For the better part of the past three months, the COVID-19 vaccine has been one of the primary topics of Gov DeWine's press briefings. Monday should be no different following the news that Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine has been granted emergency approval, with thousands of the single-shot vaccine already headed for Ohio.
DeWine announced that more than 450,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines will head to Ohio this week, including roughly 100,000 of the newly-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Phase 1C of the vaccine rollout, which will go into effect on Thursday, includes pregnant women, Type 1 Diabetics, Ohioans over the age of 60, law enforcement workers, and childcare workers.
Gov. DeWine did not get around to updating any of the COVID-19 protocols and restrictions.
Last week, Gov. DeWine announced that Ohio was relaxing some of its COVID-19-related restrictions, with a 30 percent capacity allowed at outdoor entertainment events, and a 25 percent indoor capacity permitted at indoor events. In making that announcement, DeWine also noted that guidance for other events, including proms, banquet centers, wedding receptions, fairs, festivals, and parades, would soon be available.
That guidance could come as soon as Monday, as the state continues the process of "crossing the bridge" from the pandemic and back to a more normal way of life.
Breaking from COVID-19 discussions, during the Monday conference, DeWine also said that it is "inevitable" that Ohio comes around to legalizing sports gambling.
The topic of gambling when it comes to sports has been a hot-button issue in the state over the past several years.
Governor DeWine is expected to hold his next COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, March 4.
You can watch the full press conference with Gov. DeWine in the player below.