On Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that he would have an announcement for reopening child care centers in the state on Monday.
But when it came time to make that announcement, DeWine didn't have one.
At his daily press briefing on Monday, DeWine said that he is still gathering the necessary information for reopening Ohio's child care centers and wouldn't make such an announcement until he had all the facts. DeWine said it is his hope that Ohio is a leader in this area and lays claim to one of the strongest policies on reopening daycares in the country.
While daycares remain closed, Ohio began the process of reopening its economy on May 1 with dentists and veterinarians. On Tuesday, retailers in the state will be permitted to reopen, with barbershops, salons and personal care centers and outdoor dining for bars and restaurants being allowed to begin on Friday, May 15. On May 21, bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen for indoor dining.
Childcare centers in Ohio have been closed since Mid-March.
As of Monday, Ohio has 24,777 confirmed and probable positive coronavirus cases, including 4,413 hospitalizations, 1,217 ICU admissions and 1,357 deaths. Dating back to the discovery of the state's first coronavirus case on March 9, DeWine put a number of measures in place to encourage physical distancing, including a stay-at-home order on March 23.