Ohio Gov. DeWine announces removal of COVID-19 health mandates effective June 2

By Mitch Spinell

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday the state will remove its COVID-19 health mandates effective June 2, with the exception being those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

“It’s time to end the health orders. It’s been a year. You’ve followed the protocols. You’ve done what we’ve asked. You’ve bravely fought this virus. And now, our cases are down, and we have a tested and proven weapon in the vaccine that all Ohioans 12 and over can utilize,” said DeWine via his Wednesday address.

DeWine also said that schools and businesses in Ohio will be able to make their own decisions about how to keep customers, employees, and students safe, making clear that the lifting of health orders would not prevent a business from imposing their own requirements.

DeWine’s statewide address came as Ohio has seen a recent decline in new COVID-19 infection averages, as well as vaccination rates, with 41.75 percent of Ohioans having now received at least one vaccine.

DeWine, along with asking businesses across Ohio to reach out and offer incentives to get more people vaccinated, also announced an incentivization of a $1 million prize announced once per week over a five-week period starting Wednesday, May 26. The drawing will be for adults who have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.