DeWine Strike Force To Enforce Social Distance
Governor Mike DeWine announced the formation of a strike force to make sure bar and restaurant customers practice social distancing. Plus an update on hospital visitors and the latest COVID-19 numbers.
Social Distance Strike Force
Governor DeWine had strong words for those who didn’t practice social distancing at Ohio’s bars and restaurants over the weekend. This comes after photos of crowded Ohio bars were shown on newscasts all over the country.
“I’ve always tried to be blunt, straightforward about everything we are finding. The protocols, the rules, were laid down very clearly. Stopping the spread will determine how successful we are in opening up our economy. We cannot have a successful reopening of the economy if we get surges in the Coronavirus. Slowing the spread can only be done by distancing.”
He called distance “absolutely the key thing.” DeWine said that most restaurants and bars did a good job. But, “It’s clear that we had some outliers. Those who aren’t doing what they should do.”
The Rules
He read from Dr. Amy Acton’s order regarding the reopening of restaurants
- All restaurants and bars are permitted to reopen as long as all workplace safety standards are met.
- Business and operations shall continue to comply with social distancing requirement
- Six feet of social distancing between employees and diners
- Customers must be seated when consuming food, beer, wine, and liquor on the premises.
He called out both bar owners and customers for not taking responsibility. He said if owners could not control the environment, they should make the decision to close down.
The Enforcers
DeWine said Ohio will form a strike force of law enforcement and health officials to crack down on bars and restaurants that break the rules.
- We are marshaling all the resources at our disposal to assemble a large contingent of law enforcement and health officials from across state agencies and from our local communities.
- We will coordinate with them as part of the Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit. They will surge in to conduct safety compliance checks in crowded bars and restaurants.
Penalties
- They will issue administrative citations that could result in the revocation of liquor licenses. Further, we will work with municipal prosecutors to take potential criminal actions against these bad actors.
No State Rules On Hospital Visits
Most Ohio hospitals have banned visitors in most circumstances. Most allow a visitor for end-of-life situations, hospitalized children, and, childbirth.
Governor Mike DeWine said that’s not his choice:
“There’s some difficult decisions that are made. Loved ones want to see loved ones. We have no rules. The state of Ohio has not issued any rules. Dr. Acton has not issued any rules. These rules have been set by the hospitals.”
He said it’s up to each hospital to decide when it’s time to allow visitors once again.
COVID-19-Numbers
- Suspected Cases – 28,454
Confirmed Cases – 26, 646 - Hospitalizations – 4,998
ICU Admissions – 1,328 - Suspected Deaths – 1,657
Confirmed Deaths – 1,504 - Scioto County – 14