Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the reopening of restaurants, barbershops, hair salons, day spas, nail salons, and other services on May 15, 2020. The state was first placed on a locked down on Thursday, April 2, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and was extended in May 1.

While outdoor services in restaurants will begin on May 15, dine-in services will begin n May 21.

“We’ve asked businessmen and businesswomen from across the state to work with Ohio Department of to come up with the best practices about how we open different sectors back up in Ohio,” said Governor Mike DeWine.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint. We are in it for the long-haul. As Ohioans, we need to know that we’re not going to get through this quickly.”

“It’s a gamble. We’re on a road that has never been traveled before in Ohio. It’s a road with danger signs on it. The danger is that we relax and pull back. That we say ‘Ok, things are better, we don’t need to distance’.”

According to him, “If we relax and take things for granted, things will not go the way we want them to go. We don’t want to see a spike and be forced to decide if we pull back again on the economy. What we all do today will determine where this state goes. This is all in our hands.”

He warned that “as we open back up the economy we need to be very careful.”

“This is high risk operation. It will be high risk if we don’t do anything. Make those calculated risk and make those good judgement.”

“I am optimistic we can do this as Ohioans. We look up to the future as we open many more businesses.”

To ensure that these establishments operate in the safest manner possible, Governor DeWine’s Restaurant Advisory Group created a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for restaurant and bar owners to follow. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices can be found at coronaviurs.ohio.gov.

In marking May 7, 2020 as National Prayer Day, Governor DeWine prayed, “as we navigate our way through the COVID19 pandemic, we remember in prayer all of our fellow Ohioans who have been on the front lines of this pandemic.”

“Our healthcare workers. Our first responders. Our essential workers who serve us each day. We also pray for our citizens who have been infected with #COVID19. We pray for their safe recovery.

We pray for those facing grief following the loss of loved ones. We pray for hope, healing, and strength for all Ohioans in the days to come.”