Gov. Mike DeWine announced today that all bars and restaurants in the state of Ohio will be closed beginning 9 p.m. Sunday. Carry-out and delivery will still be available, in order to not overwhelm grocery stores.
"It's very drastic action, but we’re taking these steps to save lives," said DeWine.
The governor will sign an executive order that will expand eligibility for unemployment for workers affected by the COVID-19 health emergency. More information can be found at the Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations’ website.
The Ohio Development Services Agency is applying for the state to qualify for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Small businesses will be able to apply for low interest loans to overcome the loss in revenue from the coronavirus crisis.
Ohio will still hold its election on Tuesday. Governor DeWine said polling places are not considered mass gatherings and people have the ability to separate from each other while voting.
“It's important for us to be able to exercise our constitutional rights,” he said. “To interrupt an election in the middle of it poses some very, very serious consequences.”
Governor DeWine said the Secretary of State will provide clarifications on the election on Monday morning.
K-12 schools will close statewide at the end of the school day on Monday. The governor said daycares will be ordered to close in the future.
“To do this abruptly overnight doesn't make sense. But it's coming. It certainly is coming,” DeWine said, speaking of closures to daycare centers.
