- Issues new Stay Safe Ohio Protocol
Ohio Department of Health has extended the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in Ohio until January 2, 2021.
“We believe the curfew, along with mask-wearing, have had an impact, and the next 21 days are extremely critical. We must all do everything we can to slow down the virus,” said Governor Mike DeWine at the Covid19 regular briefing.
He also issued a new Stay Safe Ohio Protocol, adding that “these are the steps that we’re asking everyone to take to help Ohio get through this critical time as best we can.”
“I am not a medical expert, and so I am guided by the advice and expertise of the scientists — the medical doctors and health experts who base their advice on facts and evidence.”
“I have asked for their help and guidance in developing a statewide protocol for each of us to follow in these vitally important next 21 days. These are sensible steps that we can all follow — and still be able to live our lives.”
Governor DeWine said that “COVID-19 is the single greatest threat to the physical wellbeing of all Ohioans, the mental health of our citizens, and our economic security.”
“As your Governor, I took an oath that, with it, comes the solemn responsibility to do everything I can to protect and preserve life. This has required some really tough decisions. And I know that these decisions have impacted Ohioans in a lot of different ways.”
But I also know that Ohioans can get through this if we work together and do what we need to do in these next three weeks. We can protect each other. You and your families deserve to have some normalcy in your lives, and there are things that each one of us can do to help all of us live safely with the virus.”
He described the next several weeks to bel be the toughest yet. “We’re heading into the biggest holiday season on our calendar, while riding the biggest wave of COVID-19 that we’ve had so far. What each of us does in the next 21 days will set us on the path – good or bad – for the next year.”
“We simply cannot afford – on the very eve of a safe and effective vaccination – to further overwhelm our hospitals and healthcare providers with a holiday tsunami. As Ohioans, we need to each take personal responsibility for the next 21 days to keep the pandemic from spreading.”