Ohio Department of Health amends new COVID-19 health orders

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Health has clarified a health order issued earlier this week, which consolidated and simplified previous orders.

The new amended health order signed Friday specifies:

• Tables inside restaurants, bars and banquet facilities must be spaced six feet apart unless there is a physical barrier between them.
   
• Social distancing, congregating and capacity requirements don’t apply to religious observances and other First Amendment-protected activity, including media activity. Mask requirements, however, still apply.
   
• The mask mandate for Ohio’s K-12 schools remains in effect.

Here’s a breakdown of the rest of the order, issued Monday, with Friday’s amendments included:

You’ll have to wear a mask:

• When you’re indoors anywhere other than a residence;
• When you’re outdoors but unable to keep six feet from others who aren’t in your household;
• When using public transportation, taxis or ride-sharing vehicles.

Those who aren’t required to wear masks are:

• Those aged 9 or younger;
• Those with conditions that make mask-wearing difficult, such as respiratory or mental health conditions or other disabilities;
• Those who are alone in enclosed spaces like offices, or are at least six feet from others;
• Those exercising or participating in athletics, as permitted under other orders;
• Those actively working in public safety, including police, firefighters or EMS;
• Those who are seated and consuming food or drink in a restaurant.

You also won’t have to wear a mask if it’s otherwise prohibited by other laws or regulations or are in violation of industrial standards or business safety policies.

Also exempt are those working in an industrial setting while separated by barriers or at least six feet from other workers.

The state’s mask mandate for schools remains in effect. Those in K-12 schools, child care centers, in-home aides, day camps and after-school programs should refer to mask requirements in other ODH orders.

Mass gatherings/congregating

• The state’s limit on mass gatherings has been adjusted to apply to personal or household groups, rather than the size of the events themselves.
• Families or households should attend indoor or outdoor events in groups of no more than 10 people, which should be separated from other household groups.
• A previous 30-percent capacity restriction on outdoor events has been lifted. Indoor events are still limited to 25 percent capacity.
• Tables inside restaurants, bars and banquet facilities must be spaced six feet apart unless there is a physical barrier between them.
• Social distancing, congregating and capacity requirements don’t apply to religious observances and other First Amendment-protected activity, including media activity.
• Event organizers and managers are expected to discourage sitting or standing close together and create one-way lanes for foot traffic.
• Those who feel sick or have coronavirus symptoms such as fever or cough should stay home.