COLUMBUS, Ohio — A travel advisory continues to be in effect for people coming into Ohio from other states with testing rates of 15% or higher for COVID-19.
The recommendation is that people self-quarantine for 14 days after coming to Ohio from one of those states. The list is being updated weekly.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, the Buckeye State's positivity for COVID-19 remains above 15%. The ODH recommends that Ohioans remain home except for necessary trips.
As of January 13, other states at 15% or higher are: Idaho, Alabama, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Arizona and Nevada.
Gov. Mike DeWine says people should self-quarantine at home in or a hotel. This applies to visitors as well as people who live in Ohio returning from vacation or business travel. The governor has said that that while the advisory isn't an order, it's recommended that it be followed.
Earlier this week, Gov. DeWine also mentioned that those Cleveland Browns fans from Ohio going to Missouri to watch Sunday's AFC Divisional Playoff game are being advised to quarantine for two weeks upon their return from Kansas City.
"Here's the reality: We're on our own list and so are they (Missouri)," said DeWine, referring to the travel advisory for states with coronavirus positivity rates of 15% or higher. "So you need to be careful whether you're in Ohio or traveling out there."
Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff agreed. "When you travel, we are stepping outside of our usual patterns of behavior and stepping into environments that are unfamiliar to us," he said. "When they (fans) come back into Ohio, it will be important for them to be responsible, take a two week period to adhere to quarantine guidance."
The state of Ohio reported 6,701 new cases COVID-19 in the last 24 hours with 79 new deaths and 288 new hospitalizations.
Editor's Note: The below video aired on January 12, 2021
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