Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Dr. Amy Acton today provided the following sector opening dates established as part of the Responsible RestartOhio plan.
CHILDCARE: MAY 31
Beginning Sunday, May 31, childcare providers in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these providers can meet required safety protocols.
To ensure that these establishments operate in the safest manner possible, Governor DeWine’s Early Childhood Advisory Council created a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for childcare centers to follow. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
“Moving forward, childcare is going to look different for children, parents and teachers,” DeWine said. “But we must get this right, or we run the risk of exposing more people to COVID-19.”
To assist in the reopening of child care centers, Ohio will use more than $60 million in federal CARES Act funding to provide reopening grants to all of Ohio’s childcare providers, including family childcare, childcare centers, and both publicly-funded and private providers. More information on how to apply will be posted to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ website soon.
The reopening date of May 31 also applies to day camps that can meet required safety protocols. A detailed list of guidelines and best practices for day camps will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
CAMPGROUNDS: MAY 21
Beginning Thursday, May 21, campgrounds in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these facilities can meet required safety protocols.
To ensure that campgrounds operate in the safest manner possible, DeWine’s Outdoor Recreation Advisory Group created a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for day camps to follow. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices for both campgrounds and campers is available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
GYMS, FITNESS CENTERS: MAY 26
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, gyms and fitness centers in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these facilities can meet required safety protocols.
To ensure that these establishments operate in the safest manner possible, DeWine’s Gyms Advisory Group is creating a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for gyms and fitness centers to follow. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
SPORTS LEAGUES (NON-CONTACT, LIMITED CONTACT): MAY 26
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, sports leagues in Ohio will be permitted to operate if these leagues can meet required safety protocols. This applies only to non-contact and limited-contact sports.
To ensure that non-contact and limited-contact sports leagues operate in the safest manner possible, DeWine’s Large Venue Advisory Group is creating a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for sports leagues to follow. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Safety protocols for high-contact sports are in development.
PUBLIC/CLUB POOLS: MAY 26
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, public pools and club pools that are regulated by local health departments in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these facilities can meet required safety protocols.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.
To ensure that these pools operate in the safest manner possible, Governor DeWine’s Outdoor Recreation Advisory Group is creating a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for these facilities to follow. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
This does not apply to water parks or amusement parks. Safety protocols for these venues are in development.
