COLUMBUS — After working on a plan to gradually reopen businesses in the state of Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced additional dates for businesses, services and events to reopen, including gyms, summer and day camps, campgrounds, certain sports leagues and the BMV.
May 21
Campgrounds will be able to reopen on May 21, according to Husted.
In order for the campgrounds to reopen, they will need to meet requirement that the state will provide on its website including maintaining and sanitizing public restrooms, shower houses, and laundry facilities, closing non-essential buildings, limiting congregations and maintaining outdoor social distancing. For the full list, click here.
May 22
Horse racing will be allowed to resume on May, the 22 after guidance had been approved by the racing commission, Husted said.
Spectators will not be permitted and the casinos and racinos are not included in the reopening, according to Husted.
May 26
Gyms
On May 26, gyms and fitness centers, recreation centers and studios will be allowed to reopen if they can meet requirements and follow the guidance set by the state. Those protocols will be made available on the state's Responsible RestartOhio website here.
Non-contact or limited-contact sports leagues, such as golf, softball, baseball, tennis and other paddle sports will be able to reopen on May 26. Leagues including frisbee, cornhole and bocce will also have guidelines set by the state for people to understand the best practices that should be utilized when participating in the sports.
Other higher contact sports such as lacrosse, hockey, field hockey, soccer, basketball, and others are being considered and a workgroup is helping create guidelines for the state to plan their reopenings at a later date, Husted said.
BMV
Bureu of Motor Vehicles across the state of Ohio will be able to reopen on May 26. Husted said that people are encouraged to take advantage of the extensions on licenses and registrations allowed by House Bill 197. The state doesn’t want people flooding the BMV and hope they only go when they have to. Husted encouraged residents to first go to the Ohio BMV website to see if the service they require can be completed online. "Don't come in unless it's necessary. Use the online service if you can," Husted said.
Pools
Pools that are regulated by local health departments, including public pools and clubs, will be able to reopen on May 26, Husted said.
There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas or water play areas, according to the CDC.
Water parks and amusement parks will not be included in the reopening as they are regulated differently, Husted said.
May 31
On the same day that day care centers will be able to reopen in Ohio, so will summer and day camps.
“We know that day camps are an important part of the childcare conversation as well. Families want to plan for summer work and summer activities and day camps will open the same day as they are,” Husted said.
Just this week, state officials allowed restaurants that have served as carry-out establishments only to open their patios to patrons. It won’t be until May 21 that restaurants will be allowed to have dine-in customers return, albeit with some additional safety precautions.
While parents now know when they may begin taking their children to day care, the question for many parents and students is when schools will resume, and what they will look like when they do. As of Thursday, DeWine has not answered that question. However, the Ohio Department of Education has released a preliminary draft plan that details what protocols may be in place when schools do reopen.
On Friday, salons, barber shops and tattoo parlors will be allowed to reopen.
RELATED: DeWine unveils plan to open salons, barbershops, outside dining on May 15, inside dining on May 21
Beyond that, there are other businesses that remain closed, according to the Ohio Department of Health. They include the following:
All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, such as:
- Laser tag facilities, roller skating rinks, ice skating rinks, arcades, indoor miniature golf facilities, bowling alleys, indoor trampoline parks, indoor water parks, arcades, and adult and child skill or chance game facilities remain closed.
- Gambling industries.
- Auditoriums, stadiums, arenas.
- Movie theaters, performance theaters, and concert and music halls.
- Parades, fairs, festivals, and carnivals.
- Amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor water parks, children's play centers, playgrounds, and funplexes.
- Aquariums, zoos, museums, historical sites, and similar institutions.
- Country clubs and social clubs.
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