Updates on Ohio Executive Orders related to COVID-19
Governor DeWine and Ohio Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton have put several Public Health Executive Orders into law in response to COVID-19. This began with the closure of non-essential businesses and the stay at home order. Now, each week more and more businesses are able to return to work, and the re-opening of the state is being governed by Executive Orders. The page will act as a repository for the different orders and guidance that are relevant to small businesses. It will continued to be updated as more orders are signed into law.
On June 5, 2020, Dr. Acton extended the Dine Safe Ohio Order to allow all restaurants, bars, banquet and catering facilities and services to re-open for full, dine in services as long as workplace safety standards are met. Please see the full order here.
On June 4, 2020, Dr. Acton amended the order that limits access to nursing homes by now allowing visitors to enter the home when a family member's end of life is approaching. If the patient is showing signs that end of life may be approaching, the nursing home must notify the family and allow them to visit their family member. There are no other circumstance when outside visitors may enter the Home. Outside visitation is still being allowed if the necessary safety standards are met. Please see the full order here.
On June 1, 2020, Dr. Acton signed an order that allows youth day camps and residential camps to re-open as long as the necessary safety standards are met. Please see the full order here.
Order that Reopens Child Care Facilities with Exceptions
On May 29, 2020, Dr. Acton signed an order that allows facilities providing child care to re-open as long as the necessary safety standards are met. Please see the full order here.
On May 29, 2020, Dr. Acton extended the social distancing requirements and the business sector guidelines until July 1, 2020 or until the order is modified or rescinded. Please see the full order here.
On May 22, 2020, Dr. Acton amended the second order to clarify that administrators, teachers, staff, etc. could still use the school facility when deemed appropriate. This order does not effect events held at that school such as voting or food services. Furthermore, it excludes preschools/day cares and day camps. Please see the full order here.
On May 22, 2020, Dr. Acton signed an order that re-opens all gyms, fitness based recreation centers, dance studios, and all other personal-fitness venues as long as safety standards are met. This order allows these facilities to open on May 26, 2020. Please see the full order here.
Order that Rescinds & Modifies Portions of the Stay Safe Ohio Order
On May 20, 2020, Dr. Acton signed an order than modified and rescinded parts of the Stay Safe at Home Order that was signed on April 30, 2020. This order rescinded Section 3 of the Stay Safe Ohio order which stated that all individuals living in Ohio were ordered to stay home. It amended Section 5 of the Stay Safe Ohio order to state that individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, unless they have recovered, are only permitted to enter the state for the purposes of medical care. Lastly, this order rescinds Section 15 of the Stay Safe Ohio order regarding travel. Please see the full order here.
Ohioans Protecting Ohioans Advisory
On May 20, 2020, Dr. Acton signed the Ohioans Protecting Ohioans urgent health advisory which rescinded parts of the April "Stay Safe at Home"order. This health advisory does not require that Ohioans stay at home, but continues the mandates on limiting large group activities and required business conditions. Elderly Ohioans or those with pre-existing conditions are encouraged, but not required to stay home. Additionally, otherwise healthy Ohioans are also encouraged, but not required, to stay home when possible. Please see the full advisory here.
Reopening of personal services order
On May 14, 2020, Dr. Acton permitted all hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, tanning facilities, and other like businesses and operations licensed by the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board and local boards of health in the State to reopen as long as all workplace safety standards are met. Please see the full order here.
Dine Safe Ohio order
On May 14, 2020, Dr. Acton repealed the March 13, 2020 order that restricted all bars and restaurants to carry out and delivery only. The Dine Safe Order states that restaurants and bars may resume full operations on May 21, 2020 as long as they implement and follow the workplace safety standards that are outlined by the order. Please see the full order here.
Order that begins to Re-open Businesses
On May 1, 2020, Dr. Acton permitted several businesses to begin the process of re-opening. This order allowed dentists to resume their practices, non-essential surgeries to proceed, and retail, general office environments, and manufacturing/distribution to re-open. They all had to comply with their sectors' workplace safety standards. Please see the full order here.
On April 29, 2020, Dr. Acton extended the closure of all K-12 schools until June 30, 2020. Please see the full order here.
On April 2, 2020, Dr. Acton extended the stay at home order until May 1, 2020. Please see the full order here.
On March 30, 2020, Dr. Acton extended the closure of all K-12 schools until May 1, 2020. Please see the full order here.
On March 24, 2020, Dr. Acton extended the closure of all adult day care centers and senior centers. This order will remain in effect until the Governor declares the State of Emergency is no longer in effect or Dr. Acton rescinds the order. Please see the full order here.
On March 24, 2020, Dr. Acton closed all child care services unless they were operating with a Temporary Pandemic Child Care License. This order will remain in effect until the Governor declares the State of Emergency is no longer in effect or Dr. Acton rescinds the order. Please see the full order here.
​On March 22, 2020, Dr. Acton ordered all Ohioans to stay at home and non-essential businesses to cease operations immediately. For a full list of exemptions and to view the full order, please click here.
On March 21, 2020, Dr. Acton ordered all adult day care centers/senior centers to cease operations beginning March 23, 2020. Please see the full order here.
On March 19, 2020, Dr. Acton ordered hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, tanning facilities and massage therapy locations to cease operations immediately. This order will remain in effect until the Governor declares the State of Emergency is no longer in effect or Dr. Acton rescinds the order. Please see the full order here.
On March 17, 2020, Dr. Acton prohibited mass gatherings of more than 50 people. Please see full order here.
On March 16, 2020, Dr. Acton ordered all polling locations to close on March 17, 2020. This order will remain in effect until the Governor declares the State of Emergency is no longer in effect or Dr. Acton rescinds the order. Please see the full order here.
On March 15, 2020, Dr. Acton ordered all sales of liquor, beer, and wine to be restricted to carry out and delivery only. Additionally, the order restricts food and beverage sales to carry out and delivery only. No on site consumption is permitted. Please see the full order here.
On March 14, 2020, Dr. Acton ordered the closure of all K-12 Schools through April 3, 2020. Please see the full order here.
On March 12, 2020, Dr. Acton prohibited mass gatherings of more than 100 people. Please see the full order here.