With Ohio facing what he has deemed "the most important three weeks" of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Governor Mike DeWine has announced 10 "Stay Safe Ohio" protocols aimed at slowing the virus' spread.
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Developed by a team of doctors, the new guidance consists of the following 10 protocols:
- Stay at home
- Wear your mask
- Keep interactions short and stay apart
- Wash your hands
- Work from home
- Celebrate safe and celebrate small
- Don't eat or drink with anyone outside your household
- Limit travel
- Keep weddings and funerals safe
- Enjoy safe holiday activities
The new guidance comes amid an ongoing surge in the state's coronavirus numbers, with Ohio reporting 11,738 new coronavirus cases -- its fourth-highest daily total since the start of the pandemic. On Thursday, DeWine warned of the damage the busiest part of the holiday season could case.
"What each of us does in the next 21 days is really going to set the tone, set us on a path- good or bad- for the next year," Gov. DeWine said. "We cannot afford, on the eve of a very safe and effective vaccination, to further overwhelm our hospitals and healthcare workers with a holiday tsunami."
In addition to the new protocols, DeWine also announced on Thursday that he will be extending the state's current 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew until Jan. 2. A variance, however, has been applied to some outdoor sporting events, including the Cleveland Browns' matchup with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football next week.
You can watch DeWine's full press briefing in the video player below.