Gov. Mike DeWine issued another mask mandate as Ohio heads into its third wave of COVID-19, and he’s urging citizens not to fight over the requirement.
“We are now seeing our third spike, but this time, things are much different," DeWine tweeted Wednesday (November 11). "We had been warned that when it got colder and drier, and when people were indoors more, the virus would rise up again. And it certainly has.”
The Ohio Department of Health reported more than 267,000 total COVID-19 cases statewide as of Wednesday, the latest data available.
“This surge is much more intense, widespread, and dangerous,” DeWine warned on Twitter. “As of today, every single one of our 88 counties has a high rate of virus spread, and areas of our state that were previously untouched — our rural areas — are being hit especially hard.”
DeWine announced the mask mandate during a press conference Wednesday evening, and warned of possible restrictions — including the potential to close restaurants, fitness centers and other businesses again — if the state’s cases continue to rise. He appeared on CBS This Morning on Thursday (November 12) to speak to the coronavirus spike in Ohio.
DeWine announced in his Wednesday press conference that he would create a task force to keep tabs on mask compliance, 19News reported. DeWine said any businesses in violation will receive a written warning first and will be ordered to close for 24 hours the second time it doesn’t enforce the mask mandate.
He reiterated that the virus could spread easier in winter months than in summer, when the colder weather ushers people indoors.
DeWine also urged people to work from home if possible, and avoid gatherings. The governor previously credited informal gatherings as "a big part of the spread."
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