COLUMBUS, Ohio — Seven counties throughout the state of Ohio are now under a mask mandate, which went into effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
We're now getting a closer look at all the rules of the order, which was issued by Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health. It was initiated after Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Huron, Montgomery and Trumbull counties were all designated at a "level 3" coronavirus alert.
According to the order, facial coverings are required as follows:
- In any indoor location that is not a residence.
- Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their household.
- Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, a taxi, a private care service, or a ride sharing vehicle. This does not apply to private or rental vehicles where members of a family are sharing a vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles engaged in direct travel through a county that does not stop in that county.
Scroll down to see the exceptions of when masks are NOT required.
The order, which you can read in full at the bottom of this story, states that the mask requirement will remain in effect until the impacted counties are no longer listed at a level 3 or 4. You can read how the coronavirus alert system works HERE.
But there are some exceptions to this mask mandate. The order lists the following situations in which the requirement to wear a face covering does not apply:
- The individual is under 10 years of age.
- A medical condition, including those with respiratory conditions that restrict breathing, mental health conditions, or disability contraindicates the wearing of a facial covering.
- The individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
- The individual is alone in an enclosed space, such as an office, and which space is not intended for use or access by the public.
- The individual is actively engaged in exercise in a gym or indoor facility so long as six or more feet of separation between individuals exists.
- The individual is actively participating in athletic practice, scrimmage or competition that is permitted under a separate Department of Health order.
- The individual is actively engaged in a public safety capacity, including but not limited to law enforcement, firefighters or emergency medical personnel.
- The individual is seated and actively consuming food or beverage in a restaurant or bar.
- Facial coverings are prohibited by law or regulation.
- Facial coverings are in violation of documented industry standards.
- Facial coverings are in violation of a business's documented safety policies.
- Individual is actively participating in broadcast communications.
- Individual is an officiant of a religious service.
Read the state's full order:
MORE COVERAGE:
- RELATED: Gov. Mike DeWine issues order mandating masks 7 Ohio counties, including Cuyahoga, Huron and Trumbull
- RELATED: As mask mandate begins for 7 Ohio counties, local communities confused about enforcement
- RELATED: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine urges importance of wearing masks in public: ‘We are at a much more dangerous time'
- RELATED: Have a summer vacation planned? Gov. DeWine advises Ohioans to reconsider travel to COVID-19 hot spots
- RELATED: Would Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issue another stay-at-home order if coronavirus numbers don't come down? Here's what he said