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Documenting Ohio's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Ohio coronavirus coverage
Debate in Ohio
Ohio government responses
School reopenings in Ohio
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
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Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Ohio's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

July 2021

  • July 29: On Wednesday, July 28, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced a new vaccine incentive initiative for state employees. Employees who get a vaccine will receive $100, while spouses who get a vaccine will get $25.

June 2021

  • June 28: The state stopped participating in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs June 26. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) made the announcement May 13.
  • June 18: On Friday, June 18, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) ended the statewide COVID-19 state of emergency. DeWine first declared an emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic on March 9, 2020.
  • June 2: Effective Wednesday, June 2, most of the statewide COVID-19 restrictions ended, including restrictions on capacity limits and the mask mandate. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) made the announcement on May 12.

May 2021

  • May 28: On Thursday, May 27, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) ended the Ohio Public Health Advisory System heatmap. The map was instituted in July 2020, and showed where COVID-19 was spreading fastest around the state based on several different metrics. Countywide mask mandates were based on the map until DeWine instituted a statewide mandate on July 23, 2020.
  • May 13: On Wednesday, May 12, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced he will end all statewide coronavirus public health orders on June 2. DeWine also announced that people who receive at least one vaccine dose can enter a lottery to win $1,000,000. The drawing will happen each Wednesday for five weeks, with a maximum of five winners. Additionally, the state will offer five full scholarships to the state’s public universities to vaccinated residents under 18.
  • May 4: On Monday, May 3, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that fully vaccinated nursing home and assisted living facility staff no longer need to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. However, unvaccinated staff will be required to undergo two tests per week.

April 2021

  • April 28: On Tuesday, April 27, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued a revised health order that no longer requires fully vaccinated people to quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19. Vaccinated people who work in nursing homes or long-term care facilities must still quarantine if exposed to the virus.
  • April 6: On Monday, April 5, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued a new health order ending the gathering limit on outdoor events and activities if people remain socially distanced. DeWine also consolidated all previous health orders and guidelines into the new order.

March 2021

  • March 29: Effective March 29, residents 16 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. On March 22, DeWine allowed healthcare providers to administer vaccines to people 16 and older when there were unfilled appointments.
  • March 25: On Wednesday. March 24, the legislature voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) veto of Senate Bill 22. Senate Bill 22 allows the legislature to cancel health orders that last longer than 30 days and requires the governor to renew such orders every 60 days. The law also creates a legislative panel to provide oversight of the governor’s health orders and restricts local officials’ authority to require people to quarantine without a medical diagnosis. The Senate voted 23-10 to override the veto, while the House voted 62-35 to do the same. The bill will take effect in 90 days.
  • March 24: On Tuesday, March 23, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) vetoed a bill that would limit the governor’s authority to renew emergency health orders. If enacted into law, Senate Bill 22 would allow the legislature to cancel health orders that last longer than 30 days and require the governor to renew those orders every 60 days. The bill also creates a legislative panel to provide oversight of the governor’s health orders and restricts local officials’ authority to require people to quarantine without a medical diagnosis. Senate Bill 22 passed the Senate 25-8 and the House 57-38. To override DeWine’s veto, each chamber would need a three-fifths majority.
  • March 23: On Monday, March 22, Gov. Mike DeWine (D) issued updated guidance for nursing home visits. Facilities are required to allow visitors once safety protocols are met. Additionally, vaccinated residents can now physically touch visitors while wearing a mask.
  • March 22: On Monday, March 22, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) authorized healthcare providers to allow people 16 and older to register to receive a coronavirus vaccine when appointments are available. Previously, people 16 and older were scheduled to become eligible March 29.
  • March 19: Residents in Phases 1E and 2C of the state’s vaccination plan are eligible for vaccination starting March 19. Phase 1E includes residents with underlying health conditions, such as cancer and heart disease. Phase 2C includes all residents 40 and older.
  • March 16:
    • On Monday, March 15, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the Ohio Department of Health released updated guidance for student-athletes who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Those students exposed in a classroom setting will not need to quarantine or refrain from organized sports and extracurricular activities unless they develop symptoms. If the exposure occurs outside the classroom, then students will need to self-quarantine.
    • On Tuesday, March 16, DeWine announced that people in Phase 1E and 2C of the state’s vaccination plan would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on March 19. Phase 1E includes residents with underlying health conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, while 2C includes all residents 40 and older. DeWine also said all residents 16 and older will become eligible to receive a vaccine March 29.
  • March 11: People 50 and older are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine starting March 11. People with Type 2 Diabetes and end-stage renal disease will also become eligible on that day.
    • On Wednesday, March 10, the Ohio House of Representatives voted 57-35 to pass Senate Bill 22, which would give lawmakers the authority to cancel a governor’s health order that lasts longer than 30 days. The bill would also require the governor to renew the health orders every 60 days. The Senate approved the bill 25-8 on Wednesday. It goes to Gov. Mike DeWine (R).
  • March 9: On Monday, March 8, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that people 50 and older will become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine on March 11. People with Type 2 Diabetes and end-stage renal disease will also become eligible on that day.
  • March 8: Gov. Mike Dewine (R) announced coronavirus restrictions would end once the number of cases reached 50 per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks. Cases were at 179 per 100,000 people March 4.
  • March 4: Vaccine eligibility is expanding on March 4 to include childcare workers, law enforcement and corrections officers, funeral services workers, and people ages 60 and older. Pregnant women and people with ALS, type 1 diabetes, and bone marrow transplants will also become eligible.
  • March 2: On Monday, March 1, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that vaccine eligibility will expand on March 4 to include childcare workers, law enforcement and corrections officers, funeral services workers, and people ages 60 and older. Pregnant women and people with ALS, type 1 diabetes, and bone marrow transplant recipients will also become eligible.

February 2021

  • February 17: On Tuesday, Feb. 16, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the Department of Health was working on a website that would allow a resident to enter their zip code and find open vaccine appointments within 20 miles of their location.
  • February 12: On Thursday, Feb. 11, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that buffets and food stations within restaurants and bars can reopen with restrictions. The restrictions include a requirement that customers wear masks and social distance.
  • February 8: On Feb. 8, vaccine eligibility is expanding to people 65 and older. Previously, only people age 70 and older were eligible.
  • February 1: On Friday, Jan. 29, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) released the vaccination schedules for K-12 teachers at public and private schools. DeWine announced last week that vaccine eligibility would expand beginning Feb. 1 to people 70 and older and K-12 staff and teachers who want to return to in-person instruction.

January 2021

  • January 27: On Jan. 26, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that 91,000 teachers and staff will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning next week.
  • January 25: Effective Jan. 25, people 75 and older and anyone with severe congenital or developmental disorders are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. On Feb. 1, eligibility will expand to people 70 and older and K-12 staff and teachers who want to return to in-person learning. On Feb. 8, eligibility will expand to people 65 and older.
  • January 22: On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the state will use $50 million in federal stimulus money to buy 2 million rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests. The state will distribute the tests to local health departments.
  • January 19: The next step in Ohio’s vaccination plan, Phase 1B, began Tuesday, Jan. 19. In the first week of Phase 1B, vaccines are reserved for those 80 and older. Beginning Jan. 25, people 75 and older, and those with severe congenital or developmental disorders, become eligible. On Feb. 1, eligibility expands to people 70 and older and K-12 staff and teachers who want to return to in-person learning. On Feb. 8, eligibility expands to people 65 and older.
  • January 8: On Thursday, Jan. 7, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) issued an order easing coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars, and gatherings. Effective Jan. 8, restaurants and bars can operate at 65% capacity, with a total limit of 200 patrons.
  • January 4: On Thursday, Dec. 31, Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud issued an order requiring all residents to stay home between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless engaged in work or essential activities. The order expires Jan. 23, 2021.

December 2020

  • December 11: On Thursday, Dec. 10, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced he was extending the statewide curfew through Jan. 2, 2021.
  • December 8: On Monday, Dec. 7, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said he would extend the state's curfew. He said he’d have more information on Thursday, Dec. 10.
  • December 4: On Thursday, Dec. 3, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced he had vetoed Senate Bill 311, which would have limited the Department of Health’s authority to issue quarantine orders to individuals who had not been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19.

November 2020

  • November 20: On Nov. 19, the Ohio Senate sent Gov. Mike DeWine (R) Senate Bill 311, which would prohibit the Ohio Department of Health from issuing mandatory quarantine orders against people who have not tested positive for COVID-19 or come into direct contact with an infected individual. DeWine said he would veto the bill, which passed 58-30. The Senate could override the veto with the support of three-fifths of the chamber.
  • November 19: On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced a three-week, statewide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The curfew does not apply to people going to work, shopping for food, or seeking medical attention. The order is effective Nov. 19.
  • November 12: On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued executive orders aimed at ensuring businesses comply with the state’s mask mandate. The order authorizes the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to close businesses for up to 24 hours that receive a violation for not enforcing face coverings.

October 2020

  • October 14: On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill making permanent a provision allowing restaurants to sell to-go alcoholic beverages. The law went into effect immediately. Restaurants were allowed to offer to-go alcoholic beverages earlier in the year on a temporary basis to help them stay afloat while the state was under a stay-at-home order.
  • October 12: Effective Monday, Oct. 12, nursing homes are allowed to resume indoor visitations if they choose. Facilities that resume visitations are required to screen visitors and report their names to state authorities. Only two visitors are allowed at a time for a maximum of 30 minutes.
  • October 7: On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that he would provide details on an aid package to small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals using federal pandemic aid money. The package would also provide rent assistance to individuals.

September 2020

  • September 18: On Sept. 18, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) released guidelines for celebrating Halloween. The guidelines include a range of recommendations, including canceling hayrides and haunted houses, leaving treats in mailboxes or holding drive-through trick-or-treat events to maintain social distancing, wearing face coverings, and using video conferencing to host costume parties.
  • September 16: On Sept. 15, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed legislation that bans public officials from causing elections "to be conducted other than in the time, place, and manner prescribed by the Revised Code," and bans public officials from closing places of worship.
  • September 14: On Sept. 14, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill that provides temporary immunity from coronavirus lawsuits to businesses, schools, and health-care workers. Individuals, businesses, and organizations can still be sued if they are accused of intentionally spreading the virus.
  • September 3: On Sept. 3, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the details of a forthcoming health order that will require school staff and parents or guardians of students to notify schools within 24 hours of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. The order will go into effect Sept. 8.

August 2020

  • August 26: On Aug. 25, Interim Ohio Department of Health Director Lance Himes signed an order allowing indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, including auditoriums and theaters, to reopen with capacity limits. Outdoor venues are limited to 15% of the fixed seating capacity or 1,500 people, whichever is less. For indoor venues, the limit is 15% of fixed seating capacity or 300 people.
  • August 24: On Aug. 21, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) released early details of a forthcoming order that would allow performing-arts venues to reopen with restrictions. Restrictions will include a cap on attendance at 15% of the venue’s seating capacity. DeWine did not say when he would issue the order.
  • August 21: On Aug. 20, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said that senior centers and adult day centers can reopen with restrictions on Sept. 21. Facilities that reopen will have to follow certain guidelines, including reduced capacity and face coverings for all staff and visitors.
  • August 20: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced on Aug. 20, that all assisted living facilities in the state would be required to participate in a coronavirus testing initiative. According to the plan, the state will offer saliva testing to staff and residents at over 765 facilities for free.
  • August 19: On Aug. 18, Gov. Mike Dewine (R) said that contact and non-contact high school sports could proceed this school year. He said spectators would be limited to parents and those with a direct connection to a student.
  • August 17: On Aug. 15, the Ohio Department of Health said the state would not allow face shields to be substituted for face masks in schools unless a child meets certain exceptions. The health department cited CDC guidance saying it is unknown how effective face shields are at protecting from respiratory droplets.
  • August 14: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on Aug. 13 released an updated Ohio Public Health Advisory Alert System map, which relies on a four-tiered classification system to show each county’s coronavirus risk. Three counties in the state were moved to Level 3, which the state defines as a “public emergency.” As of Aug. 13, the Ohio Department of Health has placed 12 counties in Level 3.
  • August 4: Gov. Mike Dewine (R) announced all K-12 students will be required to wear face coverings in public schools.

July 2020

  • July 31: The Ohio Liquor Control Commission adopted a rule first proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine (R) that bans the sale of liquor in all Ohio establishments after 10 p.m. The restriction goes into effect July 31.
  • July 29: On July 28, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that the state health department would issue an order restricting activities at fairs that start on July 31 or later. The order will prohibit carnival activities, including games and rides.
  • July 24: A statewide mask mandate went into effect. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the mandate on July 22. DeWine previously imposed mask requirements on counties with high numbers of COVID-19 cases. The mandate will require all individuals 10 years and older to wear a mask indoors and outdoors if social distancing isn’t possible.
  • July 23: A statewide mask mandate is taking effect on July 23. The order requires all individuals 10 years and older to wear a mask indoors and outdoors if social distancing isn’t possible. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) previously imposed mask requirements on counties with high numbers of COVID-19 cases.
  • July 9: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the release of minimum guidelines for colleges and universities reopening in the fall.
  • July 8: The Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced on July 7 that in-person visitations will resume at some prisons. To resume in-person visitations, facilities will need to develop a written plan and require staff, incarcerated adults, and visitors to wear masks at all times.
  • July 7: On July 7, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the Ohio Health Department would issue an indoor mask requirement on July 8 that will apply to seven counties.
  • July 2: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) released the details of a reopening plan for Ohio schools. The plan includes a recommendation that students third grade and above wear masks. School staff will be required to wear masks. DeWine said schools could adjust the rules in the plan to fit their own circumstances.

June 2020

  • June 30: At a press conference on Monday, June 29, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that he was extending several health orders that were set to expire July 1. The orders established reopening requirements for industries like restaurants, gyms, and campgrounds. DeWine said he was extending the orders while he works on developing plans for the next phase of reopening, which could be released as early as Thursday. DeWine also announced that nursing homes can offer outdoor visitations so long as certain requirements are met beginning July 20.
  • June 24: On June 23, Lt. Governor Jon Husted (R) said that fireworks shows can proceed on July 4, but large gatherings are still prohibited. He encouraged communities and spectators to watch fireworks in small gatherings.
  • June 22: Contact practice for all sports, including football and lacrosse, resumed on June 22.
  • June 19: The following businesses were permitted to reopen on June 19: casinos and racinos (a combination of horse racing track and casino), amusement parks, water parks, and outdoor theaters.
  • June 17: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and Interim Ohio Health Department Director Lance Himes issued a new health order on June 16 allowing county fairs and animal exhibitions to reopen immediately, with restrictions. State guidance includes social distancing measures and requiring microphones to be sanitized between uses. The order is in effect through October 21. At a news conference on June 16, DeWine announced that large events filled with fans, such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony, could not be held due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • June 12: On June 11, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that Dr. Amy Acton would step down as director of the Ohio Department of Health and become DeWine's chief health advisor. DeWine also announced best practices for places of worship, including seating families six feet apart and asking parishioners to wear masks. DeWine said they are guidelines and not mandates.
  • June 10: On June 10, the following businesses and activities were permitted to reopen: aquariums, art galleries, country clubs, ice skating rinks, indoor family entertainment centers, indoor sports facilities, laser tag facilities, indoor movie theaters, museums, playgrounds, public recreation centers, roller skating rinks, social clubs, trampoline parks, and zoos.
  • June 5: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced on June 4 that entertainment venues, including movie theaters, museums, and zoos, will be allowed to reopen on June 10. Entertainment venues will be required to follow state guidelines, including social distancing measures, personal protective equipment for staff, and establishing a maximum capacity.
  • June 3: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said on June 2 that he plans to address the reopening of large-attractions, such as museums and zoos, in a briefing on June 4.
  • June 1: The following businesses and activities can resume on June 1: banquet halls and catering centers (with a maximum of 300 guests and social distancing), and daycare centers (with reduced staff-to-child ratios and handwashing requirements). On May 29, Ohio State Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued two orders. One order continues the ban on mass gatherings in the state through July 1, and the other lifts restrictions on alcohol sales to non-residents in six counties near the Pennsylvania border: Ashtabula, Belmont, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, and Trumbull.

May 2020

  • May 29: Gov. Mike Dewine (R) announced that assisted living facilities and intermediate care for developmental disabilities can allow outdoor visitations on June 8.
  • May 26: Effective May 26, several businesses can reopen, including swimming pools, gyms, bowling alleys, and mini-golf centers. Non-contact and limited-contact sports leagues, like tennis and softball, can also restart. The Ohio Department of Health released sector-specific operating requirements businesses must follow to reopen. Although the specific requirements vary by industry, a common stipulation is that businesses must ensure 6 feet of distance between employees and customers.
  • May 22: Effective May 22, horse racing can resume with no spectators. As of May 21, in-restaurant dining is permitted to resume, with social distancing measures and a 10-person limit on parties.
  • May 19: On May 19, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the state’s stay-at-home order and 14-day quarantine period for travelers entering the state would be replaced by recommendations and would no longer be mandatory. No effective date was announced, and the text of the Urgent Health Advisory Order was not yet available as of 3:30 p.m. EST. The state’s ban on large gatherings and restrictions on businesses like bars and restaurants will remain mandatory under the new order. Campgrounds and in-restaurant dining are set to reopen on May 21.
  • May 15: Outdoor dining at bars and restaurants is allowed and personal services, such as salons and barbers, can reopen as of May 15.
  • May 8: On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that beginning May 15, outdoor dining would be allowed at restaurants and bars, and personal services, such as salons and barbershops, could reopen. On May 21, restaurants and bars are permitted to reopen for dine-in service, with restrictions, such as social distancing measures and a 10 person limit on parties.

April 2020

  • April 27: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) was set to announce a plan to reopen businesses in a briefing Monday afternoon.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Ohio Department of Health released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Ohio state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Ohio Department of Health
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Ohio's Vaccination Program
Where can I find the distribution plan? COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 Vaccine
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? COVID-19 Dashboard
Where is the state health department's homepage? Ohio Department of Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Ohio - AARP

Timeline

  • May 12, 2021: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced he would end all statewide coronavirus public health orders on June 2. DeWine also announced that people who received at least one vaccine dose could enter a lottery to win $1,000,000. The drawing was scheduled to happen each Wednesday for five weeks, with a maximum of five winners. Additionally, the state offered five full scholarships to the state’s public universities to vaccinated residents under 18.[2]
  • March 29, 2021: Ohio residents 16 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Previously, healthcare providers were allowed to administer vaccines to people 16 and older when there were unfilled appointments.[3]
  • March 22, 2021: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) authorized healthcare providers to allow people 16 and older to register to receive a coronavirus vaccine when appointments are available. Previously, people 16 and older were scheduled to become eligible March 29.[4]
  • March 19, 2021: Ohio residents in phases 1E and 2C of the state’s vaccination plan became eligible for vaccination. Phase 1E was scheduled to include residents with underlying health conditions, such as cancer and heart disease. Phase 2C was scheduled to include all residents 40 and older.
  • March 16, 2021: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced people in Phase 1E and 2C of the state’s vaccination plan would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on March 19. Phase 1E was scheduled to include residents with underlying health conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, while 2C was scheduled to include all residents 40 and older. DeWine also said all residents 16 and older would become eligible to receive a vaccine March 29.[5]
  • March 11, 2021: Ohio residents 50 and older became eligible for coronavirus vaccines. People with Type 2 Diabetes and end-stage renal disease also became eligible.[6]
  • March 8, 2021: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that people 50 and older would become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine on March 11. People with Type 2 Diabetes and end-stage renal disease were also scheduled to become eligible on that day.[7]
  • March 4, 2021: In Ohio, vaccine eligibility expanded to include childcare workers, law enforcement and corrections officers, funeral services workers, and people ages 60 and older. Pregnant women and people with ALS, type 1 diabetes, and bone marrow transplants also became eligible.[8]
  • March 1, 2021: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that vaccine eligibility would expand on March 4 to include childcare workers, law enforcement and corrections officers, funeral services workers, and people ages 60 and older. Pregnant women and people with ALS, type 1 diabetes, and bone marrow transplant recipients were also scheduled to become eligible.[9]
  • February 8, 2021: In Ohio, vaccine eligibility expanded to people 65 and older. Previously, only people age 70 and older were eligible.[10]
  • February 1, 2021: Vaccine eligibility in Ohio expanded on Feb. 1 to people 70 and older and K-12 staff and teachers who wanted to return to in-person instruction.[11]
  • January 25, 2021: In Ohio, people 75 and older and anyone with severe congenital or developmental disorders became eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. On Feb. 1, eligibility was scheduled to expand to people 70 and older and K-12 staff and teachers who wanted to return to in-person learning. On Feb. 8, eligibility was scheduled to expand to people 65 and older.[12]
  • January 19, 2021: Phase 1B of Ohio’s vaccination plan started. In the first week of Phase 1B, vaccines were scheduled to be reserved for those 80 and older. Beginning Jan. 25, people 75 and older, and those with severe congenital or developmental disorders, were scheduled to become eligible. On Feb. 1, eligibility was scheduled to expand to people 70 and older and K-12 staff and teachers who wanted to return to in-person learning. On Feb. 8, eligibility was scheduled to expand to people 65 and older.[13]
  • January 7, 2021: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the second phase of Ohio's vaccine distribution plan would begin Jan. 19, at which point the state would begin vaccinating people age 80 and older. DeWine said the state would provide vaccines to school teachers on Feb. 1.[14]

School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Ohio to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Ohio were closed to in-person instruction on March 16, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Ohio .[15][16]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in Ohio .[17][18]
  • August 15, 2020: The Ohio Department of Health said the state would not allow face shields to be substituted for face masks in schools unless a child met certain exceptions. The health department cited CDC guidance saying it was unknown how effective face shields were at protecting from respiratory droplets.[19]
  • August 4, 2020: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced all K-12 students would be required to wear face coverings in public schools.[20]
  • July 2, 2020: DeWine released guidelines for reopening schools in the state. The guidelines included a requirement that all staff wear masks and a recommendation that students in third grade or higher wear masks.[21]
  • June 2, 2020: DeWine announced that he intended to reopen schools for in-person instruction in the fall. DeWine said that the state was still working to develop health guidelines for schools and that districts would be given the flexibility to determine their start date.[22]


  • April 20, 2020: DeWine announced that schools would not reopen for in-person instruction for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 1.[23]
  • March 30, 2020: DeWine announced that the statewide school closure, initially scheduled to end April 3, was extended through May 1.[24]
  • March 12, 2020: DeWine announced that all public and private schools in the state would close for three weeks beginning on March 16.[25]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Ohio have restrictions on travel? No. On July 22, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued an advisory asking travelers from states with positive testing rates of 15% or higher to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entering Ohio. The advisory also applied to Ohio residents returning from those states. DeWine said the advisory was not a mandate. At the time the advisory was issued, nine states met the threshold, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas.

More information can be found at Ohio Department of Health.

Timeline

  • March 10, 2021: The Ohio Department of Public Health ended its COVID-19 travel advisory that asked residents returning from states with positivity rates above 15% to self-quarantine for 14 days.[26]
  • January 27, 2021: The Ohio Department of Health removed Tennessee and Georgia from its travel advisory list. The list now includes twelve states. People who've traveled from those states are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days.[27]
  • December 2, 2020: The Ohio Department of Public Health updated its travel advisory list to include Ohio, whose positive testing rate had exceeded 15%. The advisory urges travelers from states with a positivity rate of 15% or higher to self-quarantine upon arrival in Ohio.[28]
  • July 22, 2020: Ohio Gov. DeWine issued a travel advisory that asks travelers from states reporting positive coronavirus testing rates of 15% or higher to self-quarantine for 14 days. DeWine said the advisory was not a mandate. The states affected by the advisory include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas.[29]
  • April 2, 2020: The state's stay-at-home order includes a request that out-of-state travelers self-quarantine for 14 days.[30]


Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


On July 23, 2020, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed an executive order requiring individuals over the age of 10 to wear face coverings in indoor non-residential locations and outdoors when social distancing.

On May 14, DeWine ended the statewide mask mandate for fully vaccinated people.

On June 2, DeWine ended the statewide mask mandate for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.[22]



Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Rock House Fitness, Inc. v. Acton: On May 20, 2020, Judge Eugene A. Lucci, of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in Rock House Fitness, Inc. v. Acton, barring government officials at the state and local levels from imposing penalties against gyms and fitness centers that refused to comply with a state order requiring the closure of such facilities. The suit was brought by 35 Ohio gyms and fitness centers, which argued that the stay-at-home order issued by Amy Acton, the state health director, violated multiple provisions of the Ohio constitution. Attorneys for the plaintiffs alleged that "one of two conclusions is necessarily true: either (i) the General Assembly's delegation of authority to the Ohio Department of Health ... is too broad or vague; or (ii) the Ohio Department of Health's exercise of the delegated authority is too broad." They went on to say that "under either conclusion, the [order], in criminalizing the operation of gyms, violates the separation fo powers guarantees to which plaintiffs are entitled."[31]

Lucci sided with the plaintiffs and granted their request for a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the closure order. Lucci said, "The director has quarantined the entire people of the state of Ohio, for much more than 14 days. The director has no statutory authority to close all businesses, including the plaintiffs' gyms, which she deems non-essential for a period of two months. She has acted in an impermissibly arbitrary, unreasonable, and oppressive manner and without any procedural safeguards." Lucci prohibited officials from closing or otherwise penalizing gyms that reopened, provided they "operate in compliance with all applicable safety regulations, whether those in the state's order, the state's supplemental guidelines governing businesses like those of the plaintiffs in this case, or the Lake County General Health District."[32]

Dan Tierney, a spokesman for Governor Mike DeWine (R), said, "The ruling affirms that facilities must follow Ohio Department of Health safety protocols to keep patrons and all Ohioans safe and healthy. These facilities were due to open Tuesday anyways. However, our office disagrees with the ruling’s analysis of law." Tierney said DeWine would consult with Attorney General Dave Yost (R) on the possibility of an appeal.[33]

Miller v. Himes: On September 10, 2020, a group of parents filed suit in the Putnam County Court of Common Pleas, challenging the constitutionality of Ohio's mask mandate for schools. The mandate required public and private students in kindergarten through twelfth grade to wear facial coverings while on campus, with some exceptions. The parents alleged that the order infringed on their religious beliefs, and those of their children, as well as their constitutional right to raise their children as they see fit. The parents further argued that, because the efficacy of wearing masks as a preventative measure had become politicized, mandating their use constituted impermissible speech compulsion. Lance Himes, interim director of the Ohio Department of Health, had not commented as of September 21, 2020.[34][35]

Woodson v. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: On April 12, 2021, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed suit in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, challenging the state prison system’s garnishment of inmates’ COVID-19 federal stimulus payments. The ACLU argued that the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) unlawfully seized stimulus checks from inmates and held them "for weeks while it manufactured a basis, despite and contrary to the guidance of the Ohio Attorney General, to extract a portion of them” to pay court fees and the corrections department itself. The ACLU further asserted that this garnishment practice treated "people incarcerated in Ohio prisons differently from all other Ohioans," in violation of the prisoners' rights to equal protection under the Ohio Constitution. The ACLU asked that court order "relief to prevent ODRC and prison staff from wrongfully withholding prisoners' relief funds." Alternatively, the ACLU requested that the court issue an order "requiring Defendant ODRC to reverse its policy and to order all wrongfully garnished funds to be remitted to Plaintiffs." As of April 20, 2021, the ODRC had not responded publicly to the lawsuit. The case was assigned to Judge Dan Hawkins (R).[36]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Tim Ryan (Ohio) U.S. House Ohio District 13 September 20, 2021 Ryan announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated before contracting the virus.[37]
Bob Latta U.S. House Ohio District 5 September 20, 2021 Latta announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[38]
Bob Peterson (Ohio) Ohio State Senate District 17 September 14, 2020 The Columbus Dispatch reported that Peterson had tested positive for coronavirus.[39]
Larry Obhof Ohio State Senate District 22 September 14, 2020 Obhof announced that he was self-quarantining at home after interacting with a senator who later tested positive for coronavirus.[40]
Joe Miller (Ohio House District 53) Ohio House of Representatives District 56 October 2, 2020 Miller announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[41]
Stephanie Howse-Jones Ohio House of Representatives District 11 July 6, 2020 Howse announced on Twitter that she tested positive for coronavirus.[42]
Rob Portman U.S. Senate Ohio January 4, 2022 Portman announced on January 4, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[43]
Bride Rose Sweeney Ohio House of Representatives District 14 February 23, 2021 Sweeney announced on Twitter that she tested positive for coronavirus.[44]
John Rogers (Ohio) Ohio House of Representatives District 60 December 9, 2020 Rogers announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.[45]
Shannon Hardin City Council President of Columbus, Ohio December 28, 2021 Hardin announced on December 28, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[46]
John Cranley Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio December 24, 2021 Cranley announced on December 24, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[47]
Tina Maharath Ohio State Senate District 3 August 17, 2020 Maharath announced that she tested positive for coronavirus, along with two of her relatives.[48]


Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH512
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH329
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH322
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH316
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH311
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH38
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH34
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH31
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH28
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH21
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH125
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH119
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OH17
  15. ↑ Burbio rated Ohio's in-person index at 87.4. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  16. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  17. ↑ Burbio rated Ohio's in-person index between 40-60. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  18. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  19. ↑ ABC 6, "Ohio schools can't substitute face shields for face masks in most cases, ODH says," August 15, 2020
  20. ↑ AOL, "Ohio governor orders all children in grades K-12 wear masks at public schools that reopen," August 4, 2020
  21. ↑ ABC6, "Governor DeWine releases plan for reopening Ohio's schools," July 2, 2020
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Cleveland.com, "Gov. Mike DeWine intends to reopen Ohio schools this fall," June 2, 2020 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "OH62" defined multiple times with different content
  23. ↑ NBC4, "Ohio K-12 schools closed for the remainder of the academic year," April 20, 2020
  24. ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer, "Coronavirus: Ohio extends K-12 school closure until May, raising questions for students," March 30, 2020
  25. ↑ New York Times, "'This is the time to do it': Schools shut down in Maryland, Ohio and Washington." March 12, 2020
  26. ↑ NBC4i, "Ohio Department of Health revises COVID-19 travel guidance, eliminates self-quarantine," March 10, 2021
  27. ↑ NBC 4I, "Twelve states listed on latest Ohio travel advisory," January 27, 2021
  28. ↑ Cincinnati.com, "Ohio gets added to its own list: Here are states with Ohio and Kentucky COVID-19 travel restrictions," December 2, 2020
  29. ↑ Cincinnati.com, "Gov. Mike DeWine issues travel advisory, asking Ohioans to quarantine if traveling from these states," July 22, 2020
  30. ↑ Ohio Department of Health, "Amended Director's Stay At Home Order," April 2, 2020
  31. ↑ [https://ohioconstitution.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020.05.11-Amended-Complaint.pdf Lake County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, "Rock House Fitness, Inc. v. Acton: First Amendment Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief," accessed May 22, 2020[
  32. ↑ Lake County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, "Rock House Fitness, Inc. v. Acton: Order Granting Preliminary Injunction," May 20, 2020
  33. ↑ Cleveland.com, "Ohio judge: State health department exceeded legal authority in ordering gyms closed," May 20, 2020
  34. ↑ Putnam County Court of Common Pleas, "Miller v. Himes: Complaint," September 10, 2020
  35. ↑ Ohio Department of Health, "Re: Director's Order Requiring the Use of Facial Coverings in Child Education Settings," accessed September 21, 2020
  36. ↑ Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, "Woodson v. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, Or in the Alternative, Petition for Writ of Mandamus," April 12, 2021
  37. ↑ CNN, "Rep. Tim Ryan says he has tested positive for Covid-19," September 20, 2021
  38. ↑ Cleveland.com, "U.S. Rep. Bob Latta tests positive for coronavirus despite vaccination," September 21, 2021
  39. ↑ The Columbus Dispatch, "Ohio senator gets COVID, forcing chamber’s president to quarantine," September 14, 2020
  40. ↑ The Columbus Dispatch, "Ohio senator gets COVID, forcing chamber’s president to quarantine," September 14, 2020
  41. ↑ Cleveland.com', "State Rep. Joe Miller of Amherst tests positive for coronavirus," October 2, 2020
  42. ↑ Cleveland.com, "State Rep. Stephanie Howse says she has tested positive for the coronavirus: first Ohio lawmaker to publicly announce illness," July 6, 2020
  43. ↑ 19 News, "Ohio senator tests positive for COVID-19," January 4, 2022
  44. ↑ Twitter, "Bride Rose Sweeny's tweets," accessed February 26, 2021
  45. ↑ News Herald, "Area state Rep. John Rogers tests positive for coronavirus," December 9, 2020
  46. ↑ Spectrum News 1, "Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin tests positive for COVID-19," December 28, 2021
  47. ↑ WLWT 5, "Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley tests positive for COVID-19," December 24, 2021
  48. ↑ Columbus Dispatch, "Columbus-area state senator, two family members test positive for COVID-19," August 17, 2020
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