Saturday, November 14, 2020

Ohio's Updated Mask Mandate In Depth -- Understand the Order's Details

 


"Every retail employee has the right to work in an environment that is as safe as can be, which means all customers must wear masks. Further, each Ohioan who goes out to shop has the right to know that every store they enter will be safe and the people they encounter in that store will be wearing a mask.

"We know that masks work. They are the easiest, most cost-effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19."

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, November 13, 2020

With COVID-19 cases continuing to surge throughout Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine has revealed details of the state's updated mask mandate.

The order restates that everyone 10 years old or older must wear a facial covering when in a retail store and includes the following provisions:

Retail Locations

  • All retailers must post and enforce a sign indicating that masks are required at all entrances. Employees are not required to put themselves in jeopardy or risk harm when enforcing this order.

  • All retailers must post at all entrances a maximum capacity limit to ensure a minimum of six-feet physical distance can be maintained throughout the location.

  • All retailers should mark six-feet separation spots in all check-out lines.

  • All retailers should arrange all store aisles to be directionally one-way, if required to achieve appropriate social distancing.

  • All retailers should place hand sanitizer stations at high-contact locations.

  • All retailers must require employees to stay home if symptomatic.

  • All retailers must disinfect high-touch areas after each use (e.g. carts, baskets, and other equipment).

  • All retailers should provide reasonable accommodation to any person unable to wear a mask into the store by providing online or telephone ordering and curbside, non-contact pick up or a delivery option and/or allowing a person to wear a full face shield that extends below the chin. Each retailer must post a sign at each entrance detailing these accommodations.

  • Customers are strongly urged to utilize online or telephone ordering and curbside, non-contact pick-up or delivery options.

  • This order does not apply to those medically or developmentally unable to wear a face covering.

  • Each business should designate an on-site compliance officer for each business location and each shift during all business hours to enforce these requirements.

Compliance Enforcement

  • State of Ohio employees with enforcement powers, including the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Retail Compliance Unit employees working on behalf of the Ohio Department of Health, representatives of local health departments, and local law enforcement are authorized to inspect and enforce the order.

  • All retailers shall allow representatives of the Ohio Department of Health, a local health department, or law enforcement to inspect public areas during business hours.

  • The representative will issue an initial warning to the business before issuing a notice of violation requiring closure.

  • If a notice of violation of these orders is issued by a representative from the Ohio Department of Health, a local health department, or law enforcement, the retail location must immediately shut down for no longer than 24 hours to allow for dissipation of COVID-19 airborne droplets.

  • Citizens observing non-compliance should notify the Ohio Department of Health call center at (833) 4ASKODH ((833) 427-5634).

The state's updated mask order does not apply to restaurants, bars, banquet and catering centers, hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, tanning facilities, gyms, dance instruction studios, or personal fitness venues as these businesses fall under previously-issued, existing orders.

This order takes effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. on November 16.

(WKYC Staff. “Gov. Mike DeWine announces details of updated Ohio mask mandate at retail stores.” wkyc.com. November 13, 2020.)

Governor DeWine did not act to close bars, restaurants or fitness centers, as the state did in the spring, but he warned that decision will be revisited next Thursday. He said …

If the current trend continues and cases keep increasing, we will be forced to close restaurants, bars and fitness centers. I am very well aware of the burden this will place on employees and owners, but these are places where it is difficult or impossible to maintain mask-wearing, which we know now is the chief way of slowing this virus.”

DeWine’s April order that limits public events and private gatherings of more than 10 people is still in effect but he claims there has been rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions and other social gatherings so tighter restrictions are now in place.

Open congregate areas will no longer be permitted to open.

(Randy Ludlow. “COVID in Ohio: DeWine says restaurants, bars could close; businesses must enforce mask wearing.” The Columbus Dispatch. November 11, 2020.)

Many restaurants already ask people to wear a mask any time they're not seated at a table. A recent survey by the Ohio Restaurant Association shows that majority of workers around the state think doing this is important for increasing customers' confidence.

The Restaurant Association issued a statement in July saying that “Keeping Ohio’s restaurants open requires enhanced safety practices, especially in hotspot areas, and this is the right step. We encourage compliance and suggest that other restaurants consider requiring face coverings of guests, where appropriate, upon entering and exiting the building, when waiting to be seated, and when not otherwise seated at their table.”

(Marc Bona. “Ohio Restaurant Association backs mask order; what do you think?” Cleveland.com. July 10, 2020.)

DeWine said that “the vast majority” of Ohio colleges and universities have agreed to not return to in-person learning after the Thanksgiving break. He believes the reduction in the number of students on campuses can make a significant difference in case numbers. He explained …

But, unless we dramatically slow the community spread of the virus, our higher education institutions may have to remain virtual when school opens in January.”




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