COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton held their daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
Gov. DeWine announced that the state is extending its stay-at-home order until May 1. Ohio’s original stay-at-home order first went into effect on March 23 and had previously been scheduled to expire on April 6. The new order will go in effect after then. Among the changes to the order are as follows:
- Any person entering Ohio from out of state is asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
- A restriction on the number of people allowed at essential establishments that remain open.
- A board to evaluate and render guidance in situations where two local health departments have come to a different conclusion on what is or is not an essential business.
- Weddings are permitted, although any receptions are required to follow social distancing guidelines.
- Campgrounds closed with the exception of situations where a camper or recreational vehicle in a campground serves as somebody’s permanent residence and they are unable to secure safe alternative housing.
- Ohio State Parks remain open, but the director can take action to enforce the orders that have been issued.
RELATED: People entering Ohio asked to self-quarantine for 14 days; other changes to stay-at-home order
Ohio’s stay-at-home order still allows for essential businesses, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, to remain open. Citizens are permitted to leave their residencies for the following reasons:
- health and safety
- necessary supplies
- outdoor activity
"We are going to continue to see the numbers go up no matter what we do, but we can do all we can to keep the numbers down. This is extension is necessary," DeWine said.
The Ohio Department of Health reports that there are now 2,902 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state. 81 people have died, 802 more have been hospitalized.
You can watch the news conference live on 3News or stream at WKYC.com, the 3News app, Facebook Live, and YouTube.
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