Mask mandate enforcement begins in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the first time in the pandemic Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is rolling out state and local agents to enforce the statewide mask mandate. T

he initial order that came in late July had little in the way of enforcement attached to it. A new order that took effect Monday allows the newly created “Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Retail Compliance Unit”, local health departments and even local law enforcement to enter retail businesses statewide and determine if the rule is being followed.

If a violation is found, a written reprimand would be issued. A second violation could bring a shutdown order for 24 hours.

In an interview with CNN, DeWine said he will have BWC agents out looking for compliance. “For the first time, going out to different retail establishments to make sure people are in fact wearing a mask. If you are 65 or you are a diabetic you have every right to expect people to have a mask on,” DeWine said. Customers will not face violation penalties, only the businesses.

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Health professionals support the DeWine’s enforcement move, as well as other steps that could be coming, including a temporary shutdown of bars, restaurants and gyms. “I certainly think the governor is on the right path. He’s trying to let people know 'Hey, look, if things don’t change we’re going to have to do something different and the only things that are changing is its getting worse and we’re going to have to have some kind of intervention here,” said Charles Patterson, Health Commissioner of Clark County Combined Health District.

DeWine is not alone is beefing up enforcement efforts. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb also has multiple agencies on the lookout for compliance in his state. “The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission and local partners with citizen input will continue to check businesses social distancing and face covering use,” Holcomb said.

Ohio’s updated mask mandate also requires businesses to have a designated “compliance officer” on every shift to make sure every employee and every customer are following the rules.

Citizens can file their own complaints about businesses that are out of compliance by calling 1-833-ASK-4-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

The new mask enforcement comes just as the Ohio Health Department issued a new set of rules for wedding receptions. The order includes:

-No dancing at receptions

-Guests must be seated at all times

-No more than ten people at a table

-Everyone at a table must be from the same household.

Also, mass gatherings larger than 10 people are prohibited outside of homes, apartment buildings and dormitories.

Cox Media Group