Beginning July 23 at 6 p.m., all Ohioans will be required to wear a mask when in public places, Governor DeWine recently announced in a new order.
Under the order, masks must be worn at all times when:
At an indoor location that is not a residence.
Outdoors, when unable to maintain 6 feet of social distancing.
When waiting for riding, driving, or operating public transportation.
DeWine said the order only requires those 10 and older to wear and mask. The order also includes exceptions for people who do not need to wear a mask:
Those with a medical condition or 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.
DeWine said he has talked with several county health commissioners and mayors and he said it is clear that mask-wearing in Alert Level 3 counties is going up. He also said preliminary data indicates the rate of increase in new cases in those counties has also closed. DeWine said this is, in large part, because of more people wearing masks.
This mandate encompasses all 88 Ohio counties. Previously, individual cities may have mandated masking, or masks were mandated in counties in the red zone of the COVID-19 alert system.