COLUMBUS, Ohio — While Ohio began the process of reopening its economy last week, with retail slated to reopen on May 12, a number of industries in the state remain closed until further notice. DeWine, however, announced plans for reopening several more businesses - including restaurants and hair salons and barbers - at his daily press briefing on Thursday afternoon.
"The last week or so, we talked about how we need to do two things at once: Bring back our economy and stay safe," Gov. Mike DeWine said. "How we open up is so very, very important."
On the advice of industry task forces and working groups, DeWine had two announcements Thursday on the reopening of Ohio and best practices.
On May 12, virtually all retail can reopen. At that point, 89% of the private economy will be back open in the state of Ohio, DeWine said.
Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, day spas
May 15 is the day the hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and day spas and other personal services businesses can reopen. Massage businesses will be addressed by the medical board that regulates that industry, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.
Customers will see differences in several ways. They may need to wait in their cars before their appointment. For walk-in appointments, social distancing will need to be observed. There will no longer be magazines or self-serve beverages in lobbies as well.
Customers will be asked to wear face coverings in many instances, since the personal services require a closer contact with providers.
Personal services businesses also will be conducting routine cleanings to keep germs at bay.
Restaurants and bars
There are two reopening dates for restaurants and bars: May 15 for outside dining, May 21 for inside dining.
"Both of these areas, restaurants and bars, are highly regulated by the state of Ohio," DeWine said. "The same is true for hair salons and barbers."
Restaurants and bars will have to seat parties of 10 or less and will then need to separate those parties by a physical barrier. These barriers could be Plexiglas, high walls, etc.
As far as waiting areas, customers may need to wait inside their car or at a designated safe area.
At entryways, customers will see a list of COVID-19 symptoms and they will be asked to self-monitor. Buffets and salad bars will now be served, and not traditional buffet style.
As far as employees go, some may be required to wear masks. Customers may need to wear masks, at the discretion of owners.
Customers likely will not see gloves on cashiers and servers, but handwashing practices are required.
Open spaces where people congregate - such as dance floors at bars and nightclubs - can be repurposed into wider seating areas to keep people separated safely.
Bars present a unique distancing challenge, based on their layouts. The state is not separating bar and restaurant guidelines, as many other states have. The distinction is based on the physical space that each establishment has - if bars have tables and chairs and they can comply with the requirements, they can operate.
No timeline yet
No timeline was announced on Thursday for day-care centers, campgrounds, libraries or gyms/fitness centers.
DeWine said that child care guidance will come on Monday, May 11.
A decision on opening and campgrounds is expected to come "shortly," DeWine said. "There's no reason people won't be able to camp. Just be careful about groupings and common areas."
What's already open
Last week, DeWine announced the first phase of Ohio's plan to reopen its economy, which began with the reopening of dentists and veterinarians on Friday, May 1. But while office buildings were allowed to reopen on Monday, May 4, DeWine said he favored a slow rollout of the state's economic plan in order to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
"To throw the doors open on May 1 and say, 'Get rid of the stay at home order. Get rid of the distancing. Get rid of everything' would be totally irresponsible," DeWine said last week. "I have an obligation as the governor of this state to do two things right now at work every day: get people back to work and keep them safe. That would not be consistent with keeping people safe."
Instead, DeWine formed groups from industries that have remained closed to advise on best practices that will take effect when they do reopen. DeWine said on Tuesday that he is reviewing those recommendations and hoped to make an announcement on plans at his daily press briefing on Thursday.
Thursday's Numbers
As of Thursday, there were 22,131 total COVID-19 cases recorded in the state, with 1,271 total deaths. Overall, there have been 4,140 hospitalizations, with 1,167 of those cases in intensive care units.
Looking at what that means trend-wise, the last 24-hour cases change is an increase of 555 cases, with the 21-day reported daily case average being 653.
The change in deaths over the last 24 hours was 46 more deaths, and the 21-day daily reported death average is 42.
The change in hospitalizations over the last 24 hours was 88 additional hospitalizations, with a 21-day average of 86 hospitalizations per day.
The 24-hour ICU admission change was 16 new ICU admissions. The 21-day average of ICU admissions is 22.
The total number of tests administered in the state has reached 175,060. There were 8,000 tests administered yesterday, Dr. Amy Acton said, which was a high point. Ohio's population is about 11.7 million, so that means about 1% of Ohio's population has been tested.