COLUMBUS, Ohio — Following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's Wednesday night statewide address, in which he announced the lifting of all existing health mandates on June 2, Northeast Ohioans and local leaders immediately shared their reactions to the news many have been looking forward to for months.
Shortly after the address, the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) released a statement applauding Gov. DeWine's announcement and thanking him for his commitment to restoring Ohio's economy.
“Ohio has been a leader in taking a holistic approach to public health while balancing safety, economic issues, mental health and other realities that COVID restrictions brought with them,” said John Barker, President and CEO of the ORA. “Today’s announcement about ending Ohio’s health orders on June 2, 2021 is the logical next step in fully reopening our state for Ohio’s businesses and families. We are pleased to see a decline in COVID cases and hospitalizations as more Ohioans are vaccinated."
Barker also said that the elimination of social distancing guidelines within restaurants will allow food service venues to reach greater sales thresholds, which the CEO described as "critical to our industry's recovery and profitability."
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Paduchik also spoke out following the news from Gov. DeWine.
“Governor DeWine’s full lifting of COVID-19 health orders is welcome news," Paduchik said.
“Smart, prudent economic policy is incentivizing work and fueling Ohio’s economic rally—outpacing most of the country," Paduchik continued. "Ohioans are back to work. Children are back in the classroom. Opportunity is abundant again in the great state of Ohio."
You can watch Gov. DeWine's full address in the player below: