Casinos, racinos, amusement and water parks, and outdoor theaters have been given the go-ahead to reopen in the coming weeks, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
>>Ohio guardsman suspended in FBI investigation into white supremacist posts
Locations that wish to reopen must submit a plan to the governor’s office and have it approved before reopening, DeWine and Lt. Gov. John Husted said.
➡ NEW: Two weeks from today, casinos, racinos, amusement parks, and water parks, will be able to open. In addition, we received safety plans for the Memorial Golf Tournament to be held July 13-19. We are approving that plan.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 5, 2020
The state has also approved the plan for The Memorial golf tournament, held at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, and the event will go on July 13-19 with patrons allowed. Tournament organizers said more details on safety and health protocols will be released later.
>>RELATED: Plan approved to allow patrons at The Memorial golf tournament
It’s official, thanks to State approval & support from the @PGATOUR, patrons will be permitted to attend the 45th edition of #theMemorial ⛳. More details coming soon regarding protocols designed to promote the health & safety of all who will be on-site at this year’s Tournament. pic.twitter.com/kJG9npxol0
— #theMemorial (@MemorialGolf) June 5, 2020
New state data shows that the ratio of infection has dropped to below a one to one ratio, meaning an infected person on average infects less than one person, according to DeWine.
During the height of the outbreak, DeWine said data showed one infected person had the capability of spreading the COVID-19 virus to up to three people or more. However those numbers have been steadily declining.
DeWine took time to address critics who have demanded he reopen the state without any restrictions. DeWine said if he acted upon those demand it would have been “irresponsible” and it would have been an “abandonment of the duties as governor.”
To those who say we should open #Ohio with no guidance or rules: That makes absolutely no sense in the midst of this pandemic. With #COVID19 still as contagious as it has ever been, to do that would be irresponsible and an abandonment of the duties I have as your Governor.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 5, 2020
He added the goals of reopening the state in phases was to make any business or activity as safe as it could be made, in regards to limiting the spread of the virus and infection rates.
DeWine said his office will continue to support and offer resources to universities and colleges in the state ahead of students returning to campuses this fall.
DeWine said the state will continue to provide testing and other efforts to protect the health of students, faculty and staff at the state’s higher education facilities.
This week, I talked with most of our university/college presidents about plans to return to class in the fall. We'll continue to work with them and serve as a resource in regard to testing and other efforts to help protect the health of students, faculty, and employees.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 5, 2020
DeWine also announced testing capabilities continue to expand across the state, and he has had conversations with national pharmacies about continued expansions.
DeWine said he has had conversations with CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, Walgreens, and Kroger about strengthening testing partnerships. The state continues to provide a map at the state’s coronvirus website that contains the locations of places were citizens can get a test.
This week we have been actively reaching out to our retailers here in Ohio to strengthen our testing partnerships. This week, our team and I spoke with executives from CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, Walgreens, and Kroger about the importance of testing.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 5, 2020
Thursday, he announced the reopening of day camps and residential camps “at any time,” and that certain entertainment venues will be clear to resume operations or open beginning June 10 as long as state restrictions and guidelines are followed.
“We can continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 while we safely reopen our economy," DeWine said. "It is up to each of us to do what we can to keep each other safe and choose to keep six feet of social distance, wear masks, and maintain good hand hygiene.
“The threat of COVID-19 remains and while it’s our responsibility to keep each other safe, business owners and employees should do their part to ensure customers visit safely, by cleaning and sanitizing surfaces regularly,” the governor said.
Here is the list of entertainment venues that have been given the go-ahead:
- Aquariums
- Art galleries
- Country clubs
- Ice skating rinks
- Indoor family entertainment centers
- Indoor sports facilities
- Laser tag facilities
- Movie theaters (indoor)
- Museums
- Playgrounds (outdoor)
- Public recreation centers
- Roller skating rinks
- Social clubs
- Trampoline parks
- Zoos
LATEST STATE DATA: As of Friday afternoon, there have been at least 37,758 confirmed or probable cases in the state, 2,355 deaths, and 6,385 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Ohio has an estimated population of approximately 11.7 million, census records show.
Of the state’s positive cases, 19.5% are from Ohio’s prisons. At those prisons, there has been an increase in testing.
[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]
There have been 423,521 people tested for coronavirus in Ohio. In the state, 5,483 cases are health care workers, which is 15 percent of the cases.
It is important to note the number of confirmed cases is not a true reflection of actual cases in the state because of the limited amount of testing available. The hope is that the number of cases will be more accurate because of the expansion of the testing standards.
Some things you need to know today, Friday:
- KINGS ISLAND SUIT: Kings Island sued Dr. Amy Acton, state health director, over COVID-19 rules
- TENANT PROTECTION: The Dayton City Commission has added protections for tenants
- UD FALL PLANS: The University of Dayton plans to offer in-person classes this fall
- FUNDING BILL: The Ohio House on Thursday passed legislation that would send $350 million to cities. It returns to the Senate for approval.
- VISITATION POLICIES: Still coming: Guidance on nursing homes and congregant facility visitation. On June 8, outdoor visits may begin at assisted living and intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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- COVID-19 UPDATES: Catch up on the latest news concerning the virus
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