• Franklin County Commissioners support order

Ohio, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has signed an executive order requiring the wearing of facial coverings when in public to slow the community-spread of COVID-19 effective Friday, July 3, 2020.

Public places currently affected include retail establishments; restaurants; hair salons, nail salons and tattoo parlor; day cares and day camps and public transportation.

Mayor Ginther said however that no one will be arrested or cited for failing to wear masks for now as “We have to contemplate additional action in the future if we don’t reduce the spread.”

A breakdown of affected areas includes: –

• In a retail establishment by employees and customers.
• In restaurants – by employees at all times and by customers when not eating.
• In hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and tattoo parlors by employees and customers
• In day cares and day camps, adults and children over 6
• In public transportation, employees and riders

Mayor Ginther said that “Of course, there are exemptions which include Medical or behavioral condition or disability; those under six years of age and if you are trying to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the mouth to be visible.”

Also, Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts encouraged the food services industry to “consider reducing their bars’ capacity by 50percent and reducing their hours of operation all in an effort to help reduce the spread of Covid19 in our community.”

“We also encourage people to maintain social distancing when they are in public making sure that they at least six feet apart, washing their hands with soap and water and if you don’t have access to soap and water, hand sanitizer is important.”

Meanwhile, Franklin County the Board of Commissioners have unanimously passed a resolution to uphold the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to wear cloth face coverings in public settings to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

By adopting this resolution, the Board of Commissioners support cities, townships and villages within Franklin County to pass local ordinances and emergency declarations, as allowable by law, to require residents in those communities to wear face coverings while visiting indoor settings like retail stores, restaurants and work settings.

“I am encouraged our local mayors, township trustees and other leaders will take the necessary steps to make sure resident’s safety is paramount,” said Board President, John O’Grady.  “Wearing a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has positive implications to the state and county’s economic recovery and in being able to keep businesses open.”