March 15, 2020

Governor DeWine Orders Ohio Bars & Restaurants to Close

Assistance announced for businesses and workers impacted by restrictions.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has issued a  Director’s Order that will close all Ohio bars and restaurants to in-house patrons, effective at 9:00 p.m. today, March 15, 2020. Restaurants with take-out and delivery options will still be able to operate those services, even as their dining rooms are temporarily closed.

The order was issued ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, which commonly would attract large groups of people to bars and restaurants across the state. This would make "social distancing" impossible in many circumstances. This is known by healthcare providers to be among the most effective ways to slow the spread of the disease, due to the high rate and speed of transmission in COVID-19.

“Our goal is for everyone to get through this," said Governor Mike DeWine. "Our hope is that next St. Patrick’s Day, everyone will be there and that they’ll have the opportunity to live their life and live their American dream. But, if people are not around, they can’t do that.”

Also announced were a number of aggressive steps the administration is taking to offer assistance to Ohio businesses and individuals impacted by these and other changes, all of which aim to slow the spread of Coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT AID FOR OHIOANS:

The Governor will tomorrow issue an executive order, which will grant the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) with the authority to accept and grant requests for unemployment compensation suspending the normal 1-week waiting period.

This order will also give relief to applicants who are not offered paid leave through their job, as well as those who have been quarantined by a medical professional, their employer, or whose employers must temporarily close. Those who apply for unemployment under these circumstances will be exempt from the requirement that they be actively seeking work.

ONE-TIME LIQUOR BUYBACK:

The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a one-time liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants. This will especially aid those establishments that have stocked up on high-proof liquor ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday for which they now have no use, due to their closure to in-house patrons.

Bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020. If a business has questions about this program, they should reach out directly to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center (LESC) at 1(877)812-0013 or by emailing  OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:

The Ohio Development Services Agency is preparing to submit an application in the coming week to qualify Ohio for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program provides low-interest loans up to $2 million in order to help businesses overcome the temporary loss of revenue during the state of emergency.

Non profit organizations in Ohio will also be eligible for low-interest loans through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

In order to complete the state’s application, businesses impacted by the current public health crisis should immediately send their contact information to BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.gov. Additional information on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program is available at SBA.gov/Disaster.

March 11, 2020

Effective Immediately

In light of Governor DeWine’s declaration of a State of Emergency Monday and the further announcement yesterday recommending that large gatherings and sporting events be closed to the public, we are getting a number of requests for information about cancellation policies for programs and events when dealing with the on-going COVID-19 virus situation.

Out of an abundance of caution, and to be consistent with recommendations from state and county health authorities to limit gatherings in an attempt to contain the virus, the City will be cancelling all community programs, activities, and classes held at the Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center and Learning Resource Center until April 3, 2020. The Learning Resource Center will also be closed to the public.

Because this situation is very fluid, we will continue to monitor the situation and will update you if the cancellation will go beyond the above date.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including: Please follow the guidelines below to keep yourselves and others healthy:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC recommendations for using a facemask
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Thank you for your understanding. If you have questions, please contact us at 330-668-9515 or parks@fairlawn.us