After hospitalizations remain down, Gov. Mike DeWine lifts statewide curfew

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the state’s curfew meant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which expired Thursday, will not be extended and is therefore no longer in effect.

The governor had previously announced the curfew, which was in effect between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night, would be removed across the state if they could lower hospitalizations to under 2,500 for seven consecutive days.

With that goal being met, DeWine lifted the curfew entirely.

The curfew was modified at the end of January after a decrease in hospitalizations, moving from a 10 p.m. curfew to an 11 p.m. curfew.

DeWine said he and his team have no plans or intentions to reinstate the last call order, which restricted the hours establishments across the state could serve alcohol to 10 p.m. and expired in December.

While there is no longer a curfew across the state, DeWine said that the Ohio Department of Health may reinstate the curfew if hospitalizations begin to rise again.

Citizens are asked to continue COVID-19 prevention protocols, such as social distancing, wearing a mask, and frequent hand washing, among others.

"It's very important for us to continue to do what we've been doing," DeWine said. "Let’s get the vaccine in our arms as quick as we can, but at the same time we’ve got to continue to wear a mask, we’ve got to continue to keep the distancing."

DeWine said that during the state's checks of face mask-wearing at retail establishments around Ohio, there have been about 93% compliance—a promising number for the state in its efforts to slow COVID-19 spread.

The governor said there is also a possibility of cases increasing due to the new strains appearing across the country, which is another reason for citizens to continue prevention protocols.