Ohio - COVID-19 Covered

ECONOMIC RESPONSE

Essential Service Designations:

Ohio’s Department of Health defined essential services as healthcare and public health operations, human services operations, essential government functions, essential infrastructure, grocery stores, food and beverage manufacturing, organizations that provide charitable and social services, religious entities, media, gas stations and businesses needed for transportation, financial and insurance institutions, hardware supply stores, critical trades, mail and delivery services, educational institution, laundry services, among others. (March 22)

Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:

Ohio has released official reopening guidance for businesses based on sector. Details for each sector can be found here.
Governor DeWine announced the formation of a new Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS) Public-Private Partnership Team to improve Ohioans’ experiences with the unemployment system. (February 4)

Economic Stimulus & Relief:

The Ohio Development Services Agency announced it would distribute $100 million in federal funding to help low-income Ohioans who do not own their own home pay their rent, water, sewer, wastewater, electric, gas, oil and/or trash removal bills. (February 9)
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation board voted unanimously to approve issuing $5 billion in dividends to Ohio’s employers in mid-December to ease the financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (November 24)
Governor DeWine signed a bill that distributed $650 million Coronavirus Relief Funds to local governments across the state. (October 1)
Governor DeWine announced that he would award an additional grant of $15 million to the Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio. (July 9)
Governor DeWine announced continued funding for the Ohio Department of Health Ohio 2-1-1 initiative, a phone service that connects thousands of Ohioans to local non-profit and government services for healthcare, meals, housing, transportation, mental health and legal services. (June 25)
Governor DeWine signed an executive order that listed several reasons as “good cause” for refusing suitable work, so that Ohioans would still eligible for unemployment insurance. These included: a medical professional recommending someone not return to work because they fall into a high risk category, the employee is sixty-five or older, among others. (June 16)

Business Support & Resources:

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation expanded the eligibility of the COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program, which provides reimbursements to eligible applicants to help cover the costs of inspections, assessments, maintenance, and improvements to indoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to control the spread of COVID-19. (March 18)
The deadline to apply for the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund has been extended to January 31. (January 5)
Governor DeWine announced a new $28 million program to help improve indoor air quality and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 at senior living facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living centers, and adult day centers. (November 30)
The DeWine administration announced it would develop a package of more than $419.5 million in CARES Act funding to help small businesses, restaurants and bars, hospitals, higher education, arts, nonprofits, and low-income Ohioans impacted financially by the pandemic. (October 23)
Governor DeWine signed a bill that ensured civil immunity to individuals, schools, health care providers, businesses, and other entities from lawsuits arising from exposure, transmission, or contraction of COVID-19, or any mutation of the virus, as long as they were not showing reckless, intentional, or willful misconduct. (September 14)
Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control has granted more than 300 expansion requests to bars and restaurants to allow patrons more opportunities to enjoy dinner or drinks in a safe environment. (July 2)

SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS

Reopening:

Governor DeWine signed House Bill 170, which would provide $173 million to the Ohio Department of Health for COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution efforts, and $7 million to further support the Ohio National Guard’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (June 2)
Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed an order rescinding several COVID-19 orders. (June 1)
The Ohio Department of Health amended its remaining health order to conform to the new CDC guidance, which allows those who have been vaccinated to stop wearing masks. (May 17)
Governor DeWine announced that most COVID-19 health orders would be removed on June 2. (May 12)
The Ohio Department of Health issued a new order that will exempt fully vaccinated staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from routine testing. (May 3)
The Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Department of Health have developed a vaccination playbook for organizations working to ensure homebound individuals have access to the vaccine. (May 3)
Governor DeWine announced that residents, except those who are in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other congregate care settings, who have been fully vaccinated would no longer have to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19. (April 27)
Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed the Amended Order for Social Distancing, Facial Coverings and Non-Congregating. (April 9)
Governor DeWine asked local health departments and vaccine providers offering the Pfizer vaccine to coordinate with local high schools to offer vaccinations to 16 years of age or older. (April 5)
The Ohio Department of Health announced it would issue a simplified health order that would streamline previous orders into a single order that underscores the most important tenants of infection prevention. (April 5)
The Ohio Department of Aging has created the Vaccine Maintenance Program to ensure new residents and employees, and established residents and employees who previously decided not to receive a vaccine, can still choose to receive one. (March 26)
The Ohio Department of Health issued an updated order related to assisted living facilities and nursing homes. (March 23)
Governor DeWine announced expanded vaccine eligibility in Ohio beginning on March 19 for Phases 1E and 2C. (March 16)
The Ohio Department of Health issued a revised order allowing all fair activities to resume if certain health conditions are met. (March 11)
Governor DeWine announced the individuals who would be included in Phase 1D and Phase 2B of Ohio’s vaccination plan, which will go into effect March 11. Phase 1D would include individuals with Type 2 diabetes and end-stage renal disease. Phase 2B would open vaccinations based on age, beginning with those 50 years of age and older. (March 8)
Governor DeWine announced that 15 long-term mass vaccination clinics would open throughout the state to significantly expand regional access to COVID-19 vaccines. (March 5)
Governor DeWine announced that an eight-week mass vaccination clinic with the capacity to administer 6,000 COVID-19 vaccines a day would open in Cleveland on March 17. (March 5)
Governor DeWine announced that when Ohio reaches 50 cases per 100,000 people for two straight weeks, all health orders would be lifted. (March 4)
Events at banquet centers in Ohio no longer have a 300-person limit, so long as they comply with other health orders. (March 2)
Governor DeWine outlined the individuals who are included in Phase 1C and Phase 2 of Ohio’s vaccination plan which will go into effect on March 4. (March 1)
Sporting and entertainment events were permitted to reopen with 25 percent maximum indoor capacity and 30 percent maximum outdoor capacity. (February 25)
Ohio launched its COVID-19 Vaccine Maintenance Program for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. (February 18)
Governor DeWine announced that the state’s 11:00PM to 5:00AM curfew had been lifted. (February 12)
Self-service food stations in restaurants, bars, banquet and catering facilities, and services can reopen as long safety guidelines are met. (February 11)
The Ohio Department of Health recommended that the state’s curfew be amended to 11:00PM to 5:00AM when COVID-related hospital utilization drops below 3,500 for seven consecutive days. (January 26)
Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health would extend Ohio’s 10:00PM to 5:00AM curfew. (January 21)
Ohio announced that hospitals that are vaccinating their frontline healthcare workers as part of Phase 1A must complete these vaccinations by January 17. (January 12)
Vaccine providers will begin receiving their first allotment of vaccines for those ages 80 and older the week of January 18. (January 12)
The Ohio Department of Health announced a tool to assist citizens looking for a provider that has been allotted vaccines. (January 12)
Governor DeWine announced those in Phase 1B would be able to receive vaccinations beginning January 19 (January 7)
The Ohio Department of Health issued a directive requiring vaccine providers to develop a surplus vaccine redistribution plan. (January 5)
Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed a health order encouraging people to stay at home during the hours of 10:00PM and 5:00AM, except when obtaining necessary food, medical care, or social services, or providing care for others. (December 31)
Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health would extend the state’s 10:00PM to 5:00AM curfew until January 23. (December 30)
During the week of December 21, Ohio is expected to receive 123,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as 201,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine. An additional 148,000 Pfizer vaccines and 89,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected the week of January 1, 2021. (December 15)
Ohio began providing vaccinations in five to ten nursing homes on December 18. (December 14)
Governor DeWine announced that Ohio would launch a new COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard that would list the number of people vaccinated in the state. (December 14)
Governor DeWine extended the overnight COVID-19 curfew generally confining Ohioans to their homes to January 2 as the state reported high numbers. (December 10)
Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed a health order encouraging people to stay at home during specified hours unless they are working or engaged in an essential activity. (November 19)
The Ohio Department of Health will issue a 10:00PM to 5:00AM statewide curfew beginning November 19. The curfew would be in effect for 21 days. (November 17)
Ohio Department of Health Interim Director Lance Himes signed a revised health order to limit mass gatherings. (November 16)
Ohio Department of Health Interim Director Lance Himes signed a health order to enforce mask-wearing in retail locations across the state. (November 13)
The Ohio Department of Health reissued Ohio’s mask order and added new provisions, including that each store would be required to post a sign outlining face-covering requirements at all public entrances to the store, and that each store would be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks. (November 11)
Lieutenant Governor Husted announced that the one-game-per-calendar-day limit on sports competitions had been removed from the current sports order. (September 24)
All restaurants, bars, banquets, and catering facilities were permitted to open for full, dine-in service as long as all safety standards were met. (September 24)

SCHOOL PLANNING

K-12:

Governor DeWine signed House Bill 170, which would provide $787.3 million in COVID-19 relief assistance to Ohio’s public and private schools. (June 2)
Beginning June 2, vaccinated children were not required to quarantine or be tested if they are exposed to COVID-19. (May 24)
Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud issued an addendum that updated quarantine guidance for student athletes and participants in extracurricular activities who may have been incidentally exposed to COVID-19 in a classroom setting. (March 15)
All but one public school in Ohio agreed to resume in-person schooling by March 1, which was a requirement for staff to have early access to the vaccine. (January 28)
Ninety-six percent of public school districts have committed to returning to school at least partially in-person by March 1. (January 19)
Students and teachers exposed to a COVID-positive person in school would no longer be required to quarantine as long as the exposure occurred in a classroom setting and all students/teachers were wearing masks and following other appropriate protocols. (December 30)
Governor DeWine announced the goal of Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccine distribution is for schools to be fully open by March 1. (December 23)
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities partnered with Governor DeWine’s Children’s Initiative to provide financial support to families who may need supplemental assistance outside of what is provided by their child’s Individualized Education Programs. (October 30)
Governor DeWine announced that children who qualified for free or reduced-price meals, but were currently learning remotely, would soon receive additional money to purchase nutritious foods through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program made possible by the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. (September 8)
The Ohio Department of Health issued a health order requiring K-12 students to wear face coverings while at school. (August 4)
Governor DeWine announced new guidance for resuming school in the fall. (July 2)

State Higher Education:

A list of Ohio universities and colleges that planned to reopen in the fall can be found here.
Ohioans under the age of 18 who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be entered into a drawing for a four-year full scholarship to any of Ohio’s state colleges and universities, including full tuition, room, and board. (May 12)
Governor DeWine announced that a partnership with local colleges and universities to offer vaccination clinics on campuses across the state. (April 1)
Governor DeWine announced that Ohio’s ResponsibleRestart guidelines for higher education would now include a recommendation that all residential colleges and universities regularly test a sample population of asymptomatic students. (September 24)
The Ohio Department of Higher Education—in consultation with Ohio colleges, universities, the Ohio Department of Health, and health experts across the state—developed guidance to help campuses safely reopen. (July 9)