The Ohio Department of Health will be issuing an order effective 6 p.m. tomorrow night that people must wear a mask in public in seven counties, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
“Primarily this will be when they are in a public place, inside, a restaurant a bar, jewelry store, some other place in public,” he said.
The order will be effective so long as the county remains at a red level, or purple level.
Red indicates level three risk – very high exposure and spread. Purple indicates level four rise – severe exposure and spread.
While this is aimed at a specific seven counties, the governor encourages people in other counties to wear a mask as well so their cases do not rise, though it is not required.
Masks will be required to be worn:
- When they are in any indoor location that is not a residence.
- When they are outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from people that are not members of their household.
- While they are waiting for, riding or driving public transportation or car services, such as ride shares.
This does not apply to children under the age of 10 or others who cannot safely wear a face covering. The order extends previously exceptions in existence in regard to the requirement that people wear a mask while at work.