On Thursday, Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the Buckeye State will reopen on May 1, when the governor’s stay-at-home order is set to expire. The governor said his administration is working on guidelines that will allow workers to safely return to work early next month.
The state’s reopening task force is working on safeguards to protect Ohioans as they return to their workplaces. The plan will reportedly include measures such as monitoring employee temperatures, requiring masks to be worn, disinfecting surfaces and other protective measures.
“The world we will see is a different world,” Gov. DeWine warned during his Thursday address. (*1*)press conference“Barriers, distancing, all these things we’ve talked about so much. The workplace is going to change.”
While the governor is allowing employees to return to work, DeWine said it’s too early to allow social gatherings or make an official decision on schools and when they will reopen. The governor said he expects an announcement on schools next week.
The Ohio Department of Health reported Thursday that 388 people in Ohio have died from the coronavirus, including 16 probable deaths that have not yet been officially determined. At least 8,414 infections have been reported, but the state’s curve has effectively flattened. Meanwhile, about 855,000 people in the state have since filed for unemployment benefits.
“I will fight as hard to restore this economy … as I have to fight to save the lives of Ohioans,” DeWine said. “That is our commitment to you.”
The governor urged people with underlying health conditions and older Ohioans to exercise caution as official statewide restrictions are lifted. He also asked younger Ohioans to be responsible and not spread the disease to others in their community.
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers extended a stay-at-home order through May 26 while easing restrictions on state businesses. Seven Midwest governors also announced their intention to begin coordinating their states’ reopening plans, including Gov. Whitmer (D-MI), who faced backlash after extending the stay-at-home order and imposing additional restrictions on stores across Michigan.
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