COLUMBUS, Ohio - Wednesday, June 2nd has become a much-anticipated date for Ohioans as nearly all health mandates are no more. 

Governor Mike DeWine announced back on May 12 that restrictions would lift at the beginning of June, which would allow any Ohioan who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine to obtain one to protect themselves and others.

As of Wednesday, more than 5.3 million people across the state have received at least one shot, which is 45.52% of the population.

Of that number, 3.2 million people joined the pool for the next several Vax-a-Million drawings. 

“It is time to end the health orders. It’s been a year. You’ve followed the protocols. You’ve done what we’ve asked. You’ve bravely fought this virus," said Governor DeWine. "And now, our cases are down, and we have a tested and proven weapon with the vaccine that all Ohioans 12 and over can utilize.”

So what does this mean for Ohioans that are vaccinated and those who are not? 

Measures being removed will include facial covering protocols, social distancing guidelines and capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events.

However, the governor is still urging those who have not gotten the shot or both shots to continue to wear facial coverings, especially indoors. 

 

Governor DeWine announced that any pandemic health orders that would remain in place would include nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where masks and social distancing protocols are mandatory. 

"We have to keep in mind that our population's very vulnerable, so we do have a few more restrictions than the average store or supermarket would," said Cory Parish, Associate Director of Shepherd of the Valley. "We do ask that visitors wear masks whenever they're in the building, they are free to take the resident out and take them around town."

Many area grocery stores and restaurants said they do plan on lifting restrictions, like Giant Eagle and Target. 

Meanwhile, some will continue requiring staff to wear masks, while others plan to leave it optional.

In county offices, all restrictions are gone, including barriers in the courtroom. 

Officials said this will aid in the efficiency of delivering justice. 

"Part of our business is evaluating the credibility of witnesses and that's hard to do when somebody's wearing a mask. When you pick a jury, it's very difficult to evaluate a jury when those people are masked," said Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Court. 

Valley doctors 21 News spoke with Tuesday said Ohio has come a long way, but now, the honor system is key with those who are unvaccinated. 

However, on the most important day in the state since the day health orders were put in place, one item was missing; Governor DeWine's weekly COVID-19 briefing, which once took place seven days a week and was one of the most anticipated news conferences for Ohioans, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. 

Officials from the Ohio Department of Health also took the time Wednesday to stress the importance of becoming vaccinated against the coronavirus in a post-pandemic world.     

ODH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said these restrictions were not lifted because there is no longer a threat, but because there has been progress made over the last 15 months. 

He said now the responsibility is out of the hands of the government and into the hands of the people. 

"It is the vaccine pulling us out of this," said Dr. Vanderhoff. 

He said the vaccine will never be 100% because there are always breakthrough cases and a lot of factors that have to do with the immune system's response, but reiterated that it's better to be protected from the virus than not at all.