351 confirmed cases as of today reaching 40 counties, resulting in 83 hospitalizations and three deaths. The cases range in age from one year to 91 with a median age of 51.
Today, Governor DeWine directed Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton to sign a “stay at home” order for all Ohioans that is effective through April 6, 2020. You can read the details of the order by following this link. Some of the categories of businesses deemed “essential” and exempt from the stay at home requirement include:
Businesses deemed essential by the Department of Homeland Security on March 19, 2020;
Stores that sell groceries and medicine;
Stores that sell products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and Essential Business Operations;
Stores that provide food, shelter, and other necessities of life for animals;
Food and beverage production and agriculture;
Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation;
Financial and insurance institutions;
Hardware and supply stores;
Essential infrastructure such as food production, distribution centers, fulfillment centers, building management and maintenance, etc.
Supplies to work from home;
Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations;
Critical trades; and
Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery and pick-up services;
The order requires businesses to practice safe social distancing and observe stringent cleaning and sanitizing processes. To that end, Governor DeWine and Health Director Amy Acton strongly recommend screening employees daily before work. You can find a screening guidance document here. They also strongly recommend a checklist of actions that businesses/employers can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among their employees. You can find the checklist here.
We know that our many members who are open are doing all they can to ensure the safety of their customers and employees. If you would like to share photos of your employees doing the right thing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you can send them to us at info@ohioretailmerchants.com or tag us in your social media posts and we will get them to the Governor. Thanks to those who have sent us your photos!