Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine officially orders nonessential businesses closed in response to coronavirus
Just a week ago, it was nearly impossible to find a parking space in the popular Beachcliff Market Square, 19300 Detroit Road, in Rocky River. The once bustling boutique shopping area is a ghost town now after nearly every business closed due to coronavirus concerns, pictured here on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa closed their services just yesterday, though remain open today for just product sales. AlPita Mediterranean Cuisine, on other side of the square, is still open for take-out only. Planet Fitness, First Watch and the spa were forced to close by a mandatory ruling from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. (Lisa DeJong/The Plain Dealer) Lisa DeJong/The Plain DealerLisa DeJong/The Plain Dealer
By Seth A. Richardson, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Sunday that all nonessential businesses will be ordered to close by Tuesday as part of the response to the coronavirus outbreak.
However, the list of businesses that are allowed to stay open under the health directive signed by Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton is incredibly broad, meaning mass business closures are unlikely as of right now. DeWine confirmed in his press conference the order for nonessential businesses was less a new action and more codifying already existing recommendations.
The move was part of a broader response DeWine outlined Sunday that included limiting day care centers in the state and issuing a stay-at-home order.
Related: 'Common sense' exceptions to Ohio's stay-at-home order: What you can (and should) still leave the house to do
The order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday night.
The list of businesses that can continue to operate include:
Food production and distribution
Super markets, farmers markets, convenience stores and other places that sell groceries
Charitable and social services
Liquor stores and distributors
Auto supply and repair shops
Bicycle supply and repair shops
Financial and insurance institutions, including money lenders and pawn shops
Hardware and supply stores that sell electrical, plumbing and heating equipment
Critical trades such as plumbers, electricians, and HVAC services
Laundromats and other laundry services
Businesses that sell supplies to work from home
Mail and delivery services
Computer and electronics supplies
Home-based care services
Legal and accounting services
Agriculture, including food and licensed marijuana
Religious entities
Real estate services, including appraisals
DeWine has already ordered several sectors close in response to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, including barber shops, nail salons and tattoo parlors. Bars and restaurants are still allowed to provide carryout and delivery services.
"Each of the businesses that are allowed to stay open must follow good protocol, good guidelines, in regard to health," DeWine said.
Those requirements, as outline in the order, are:
Designating six-foot distances between workers with signage, tape or any other means
Making hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available to both customers and employees
Requiring separate hours for vulnerable populations, including the elderly
Online posting about hours of operations and how to contact the business by phone or other means
"For the businesses that are staying open, you really need to follow this," DeWine said. "This is just really, really important that you follow this."
As DeWine has done throughout his response to coronavirus, the order closing nonessential businesses is likely meant to serve as a sign to businesses currently not following his and Acton's guidance. Last week, DeWine threatened that businesses not complying with health officials' guidance may make him close businesses to a broader extent.
Local health officials and law enforcement are permitted to enforce the directives in the order. DeWine said those who don't comply could face a second-degree misdemeanor, though added he was not anticipating a large amount of charges due to noncompliance.
"That is not what we're trying to accomplish here," DeWine said. "But we're trying to show the seriousness of this. This is no longer a suggestion. This is something that is no longer an idea. This is important. This is important enough to put it in a health order."
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