Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued 10 new rules for Ohioans to follow to ensure a safe holiday during his Thursday press conference. He also extended Ohio’s 10 pm curfew. Twelve doctors from around the state assisted him.
DeWine said, “I have asked for their help and guidance in developing a statewide protocol for each of us to follow in these vitally important next 21 days. These are sensible steps that we can all follow — and still be able to live our lives. These next several weeks will be the toughest yet. We’re heading into the biggest holiday season on our calendar while riding the biggest wave of COVID-19 that we’ve had so far. What each of us does in the next 21 days will set us on the path – good or bad – for the next year.
COVID-19 is the single greatest threat to the physical wellbeing of all Ohioans, the mental health of our citizens, and our economic security. As your Governor, I took an oath that, with it, comes the solemn responsibility to do everything I can to protect and preserve life.”
DeWine’s 10 Holiday Rules
Here are the 10 rules DeWine asked Ohioans to follow for the next 21 days.
- Stay at home – Only leave home for essential activities.
- Wear your mask and wear it properly.
- Stay socially distant.
- Wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
- Work from home if possible.
- Celebrate safe, celebrate small. Celebrate virtually with family and friends. Don’t gather with elderly or high-risk relatives.
- Don’t eat or drink with people outside your household.
- Limit travel
- Postpone mass gatherings. Hold virtual gathering or limit the size. If you must hold gatherings, wear masks and maintain social distance.
- Enjoy safe holiday activities such as drive-thru visits.
DeWine said he believed the 10 pm curfew for Ohioans was helping slow the spread of COVID and extended it to January 2, 2021. “We simply cannot afford – on the very eve of a safe and effective vaccination – to further overwhelm our hospitals and healthcare providers with a holiday tsunami. As Ohioans, we need to each take personal responsibility for the next 21 days to keep the pandemic from spreading.”
