COLUMBUS, Ohio - An order signed by the Ohio Department of Health Interim Director Lance Himes is now in effect, enforcing mask-wearing in retail locations across the state.

As of Monday, retailers must post signs notifying customers that face coverings are required.

The order also states that businesses must post signs announcing maximum capacity to ensure social distancing.

Retailers are required to disinfect high-touch areas and order symptomatic employees to stay home.

Although store employees are not required to enforce the order, local police, sheriff's departments, local and state health departments, and agents from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Retail Compliance Unit are authorized to take enforcement action.

After a first violation warning, a business could be ordered to shut down for 24 hours for subsequent violations.

People who observe violations are being encouraged to report them to the Ohio Department of Health call center at 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634).

The order in its entirety states:

"This order restates that everyone 10 years-old or older must wear a facial covering when in a retail store and includes the following provisions:

Retail Locations

  • All retailers must post and enforce a sign indicating that masks are required at all entrances. Employees are not required to put themselves in jeopardy or risk harm when enforcing this order.
  • All retailers must post at all entrances a maximum capacity limit to ensure a minimum of six-feet physical distance can be maintained throughout the location.
  • All retailers should mark six-feet separation spots in all check-out lines.
  • All retailers should arrange all store aisles to be directionally one-way if required to achieve appropriate social distancing.
  • All retailers should place hand sanitizer stations at high-contact locations.
  • All retailers must require employees to stay home if symptomatic.
  • All retailers must disinfect high-touch areas after each use (e.g. carts, baskets, and other equipment).
  • All retailers should provide reasonable accommodation to any person unable to wear a mask into the store by providing online or telephone ordering and curbside, non-contact pick-up or a delivery option and/or allowing a person to wear a full face shield that extends below the chin. Each retailer must post a sign at each entrance detailing these accommodations.
  • Customers are strongly urged to utilize online or telephone ordering and curbside, non-contact pick-up or delivery options.
  • This order does not apply to those medically or developmentally unable to wear a face covering.
  • Each business should designate an on-site compliance officer for each business location and each shift during all business hours to enforce these requirements.

Compliance Enforcement

  • State of Ohio employees with enforcement powers, including the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Retail Compliance Unit employees working on behalf of the Ohio Department of Health, representatives of local health departments, and local law enforcement are authorized to inspect and enforce the order.
  • All retailers shall allow representatives of the Ohio Department of Health, a local health department, or law enforcement to inspect public areas during business hours.
  • The representative will issue an initial warning to the business before issuing a notice of violation requiring closure.
    If a notice of violation of these orders is issued by a representative from the Ohio Department of Health, a local health department, or law enforcement, the retail location must immediately shut down for no longer than 24 hours to allow for dissipation of COVID-19 airborne droplets.
  • Citizens observing non-compliance should notify the Ohio Department of Health call center at 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634).
  • This order does not apply to restaurants, bars, banquet and catering centers, hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body piercing locations, tanning facilities, gyms, dance instruction studios, or personal fitness venues as these businesses fall under previously-issued, existing orders."

This order takes effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. on November 16, 2020.