Ohio mask order takes effect tonight

Whether the Ohio county in which you are living or visiting is under a yellow, orange, or red coronavirus alert level, beginning at 6 p.m. tonight you are required to wear a mask when you are in public.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that beginning on Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 p.m., a statewide mask mandate will go into effect for all 88 Ohio counties.

Saying he is “cautiously optimistic” that efforts to control the COVID outbreak are headed in the right direction, DeWine said that preliminary data indicate that the rate of increase in new cases has slowed in the high-risk counties where masks are already mandated.

"We believe that requiring masks statewide will make a significant difference and will be key to making sure other counties do not progress to a higher level of increased spread," said Governor DeWine.

State health officials say face coverings must be worn in public under the following circumstances:

• At an indoor location that is not a residence
• Outdoors, but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members
• Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ridesharing
• The order only requires those 10 years old or older to wear a mask.

The following exclusions to the mask-wearing mandate apply:

• Those with a medical condition or a disability or those communicating with someone with a disability
• Those who are actively exercising or playing sports
• Those who are officiants at religious services
• Those who are actively involved in public safety
• Those who are actively eating or drinking.

Schools should follow the guidance previously issued pertaining to masks.