Yesterday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Dr. Amy Acton, MD, MPH, made several major announcements regarding Ohio's plan to gradually and responsibly restart Ohio's economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The following is a summary of those changes as outlined in the Governor’s news release:
HEALTHCARE:
Beginning May 1, 2020, all medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.
Healthcare providers and facilities that plan to resume providing these services must adhere to infection control practices, have sufficient PPE, and talk with patients about the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Surgeries and procedures that, if not performed, would cause a threat to a patient's life, a threat of the spread of cancer or the permanent dysfunction of a limb or organ, the presence of severe symptoms causing an inability to perform activities of daily living, and/or the risk of rapidly worsening symptoms have always been permitted even if an overnight stay is necessary.
RESPONSIBLE RESTART OHIO:
The guiding principles of the Responsible ReStart Ohio plan are based on 1) protecting the health of employees, customers, and their families, 2) supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, and 3) responsibly getting Ohio back to work.
Beginning on May 4, 2020, manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full plan for manufacturing, distribution, and construction can be found here.
Beginning on May 4, 2020, general office environments may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full plan for general office environments can be found here.
Beginning on May 12, 2020, consumer, retail and services, may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full plan for consumer, retail and services can be found at here.
The general safe business practices that all businesses must follow as they reopen are:
CONTINUED CLOSURES:
The following types of establishments are ordered to remain closed due to their increased risk of potential COVID-19 exposure:
For greater detail on the types of businesses that must stay closed, click here.
STAY AT HOME ORDER / LARGE GATHERINGS:
Because the danger of COVID-19 still exists, Ohio's Stay at Home order will remain in effect to encourage Ohioans to continue making reasonable, rational decisions about leaving home. Although anyone is susceptible to getting sick with COVID-19, those who are 65 or older are encouraged to be especially careful, as are those with high-risk conditions such as chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or liver disease, as well as those who are immunocompromised or obese. Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.
MORE INFORMATION:
VENTILATOR AND RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT SURVEY REMINDER
As announced previously, the Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH, issued an order that all entities with ventilators and other respiratory items report their inventory no later than 5:00 pm each Wednesday beginning April 1 until further notice. The inventory is to be reported here. If you have any questions, please email OAMES executive director Kam Yuricich