COLUMBUS, Ohio: A state mask mandate for Ohio will take effect Thursday at 6 pm, Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday.
The move comes when 1,527 coronavirus cases were reported in Ohio in the past 24 hours, the 15th consecutive day of more than 1,000 cases in the state, and the third highest daily number since the pandemic began. Ohio recorded a record 1,679 new daily cases reported last Friday.
Masks will be required for people in indoor public places, outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained and who use public transportation, DeWine said. Exceptions will be made for those who are under the age of 10, have a medical condition, play sports, or anyone who speaks at a religious service.
So far, DeWine has only imposed mask mandates on individual counties that are put on “red” or “purple” alert by their administration using seven different data indicators, including recent increases in community outreach, doctor visits, hospitalizations, and intensive care visits. .
During a state speech last Wednesday, the governor implored Ohioans to wear masks voluntarily, although he said at the time that any additional health order would be a “discussion for another time.”
Ohio is one of approximately 30 states to impose a mask requirement statewide; Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is also expected to announce a state mask for his state on Wednesday afternoon. However, the exact mandate requirements vary by state; some only apply to interior spaces.
This story will be updated.
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