At his press briefing Thursday Governor Mike DeWine announced a new round of dates for opening of day care centers and gyms among others. Smaller class size and stringent requirements will have to be followed for centers to open. They include increased hand washing, washing of toys, common areas, and playgrounds and a limit of 6 infants/toddlers per room, 9 per room for pre-schoolers and school age children.
“We are taking a cautious approach,” DeWine said. “We want to have the safest child care system in the nation. It will look different ... we must get this right or we run the risk of exposing more individuals to COVID-19. Our goal is very simple: To do everything we can to protect the children in child care, the workers and the families."
Other businesses getting the okay to reopen include:
*May 21:Private and public campgrounds, including in state parks, may welcome campers. No more than 10 people may occupy one campsite, and social distancing will be required.
*May 22:Harness racing can resume at horse tracks but with no spectators. Accompanying racinos will remain closed, as will casinos.
*May 26:Gyms and fitness centers, public and private swimming pools and dance studios can reopen (pool openings exclude waterparks and amusement parks.) Non-contact amateur sports and non-contact leagues can resume. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle deputy registrar offices also will open to allow Ohioans to obtain and renew driver’s licenses.
*May 31:Day care centers and summer day camps can resume business.
The next briefing will be Monday May 18 at 2pm.