A “New Stage”: DeWine Introduces Stay Safe Ohio Order

The Stay-At-Home Order set to expire at midnight tonight (May 1st). Ohio’s new Stay Safe Order is slightly different.

“We’ve reached a new stage, I think that’s good news for everybody” Governor DeWine stated in his daily news conference Friday afternoon. “It doesn’t mean the virus has gone away. It doesn’t mean we don’t have to exercise good judgement.” 

DeWine urged Ohioans to continue to apply the basic principles his office has been promoting of physical distancing, wearing face coverings and washing of hands. “Those things still very, very much apply… is not a Stay-At-Home Order, it’s a Stay-Safe-Ohio Order. Those are things we need to do.”

The new order has an expiration date of May 29th, 2020. It still has many of the same limitations of the previous order however, including limiting gatherings to 10 people or less. 

What’s changed is the word “essential”. “We no longer use the words essential, non-essential” said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. “That’s gone from this conversation, we’ve moved on.”

Earlier in the week, DeWine’s plan gave guidelines for businesses in manufacturing, distribution and construction as well as general office environments and some retail outlets. While some have reopened with limited services, the new order still has closings for schools, restaurants and bars, barbers and styling salons, entertainment businesses and venues, gyms, child care services adult day support and habilitation services as well as adult day care services and senior centers.

READ THE STAY SAFE OHIO ORDER HERE