Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's daily coronavirus press briefing looked a little different on Monday after it was moved from the Ohio Statehouse to the Department of Public Safety.
According to a spokesperson for the governor, the move was made due to "security reasons." No word yet on whether or not the venue change will be permanent.
Over the course of the past two weeks, protesters have been gathering at DeWine's daily briefings. Those protesting have specifically been unhappy with DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with the state having been under a stay-at-home order since March 23.
"I have full respect for the protesters," DeWine said, addressing the protesters on Monday. "My only request from them is to stay safe. Don't get that close to each other."
Dating back to the discovery of Ohio's first positive coronavirus case on March 9, DeWine has put a number of measures in place to encourage physical distancing, many of which have had a negative impact on the state's economy. Last week, DeWine announced that the state is preparing to begin the process of reopening its economy when the current stay-at-home order expires on May 1.
As of Monday, Ohio has had 12,919 positive coronavirus cases, including 2,653 hospitalizations, 798 ICU admissions and 509 deaths.