COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Wednesday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced his administration would be extending Ohio's 10 p.m. curfew for another three-plus weeks. Today, that decision was made official.
Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud on Thursday signed an order keeping the curfew in place through Jan. 23 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The document says the continuation will "slow the spread while keeping Ohio’s economy functioning."
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DeWine first instituted the curfew on Nov. 19 before extending it on Dec. 11 due to a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Those case numbers have started to plateau and the order had been set to expire on Saturday, but the governor issued a second extension due to concerns about people gathering for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
"Our numbers are sort of in a flux," he told reporters. "They're not going down and we have to see what happens in regards to the holidays and the aftermath. And frankly while we're glad they're not going up like that, they've plateaued at a very high level."
Under the order, the curfew will be in place nightly from 10 p.m.-5 a.m., with residents required to stay in their homes during those seven hours. However, exceptions are in place for those obtaining essential services such as food or medical care, those who feel unsafe in their homes, or those practicing activities protected by the First Amendment such as religious observances or media coverage.
The measure has particularly affected Ohio's restaurant industry, for while they can still offer takeout at all hours they are not allowed to host dine-in customers during the curfew. This is in addition to a previous order issued during the summer, which bans such businesses from selling alcohol after 10 p.m.
You can read today's order in full below: