Governor Mike DeWine gives Ohio stay-at-home order as the coronavirus continues to spread. On Sunday, he made the announcement asking Ohio residents to remain at their homes as ordered by state Health Department Director Amy Acton.
"We are now at a new stage, a continuation of what really has been going on," said DeWine in front of the press. “Dr. Acton, who has done such a phenomenal job just signed an Ohio health director's order — a stay at home order for all Ohioans."
DeWine explained that the Ohio stay-at-home order is similar to "shelter in place" orders being placed upon cities and states nationwide to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.
California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered residents to stay at home, while New York Governo Andrew Cuomo announced that residents must be at home starting 8 PM Sunday as part of a plan he labelled “PAUSE.”
Meanwhile, Governor J.B. Pritzker made a similar stay-at-home order for Illinois residents that started on Saturday. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards also ordered the state’s residents to "stay at home" effective 5 PM Monday until April 12.
"There's nothing in that order that we haven't been asking you to do for the last week or so," DeWine said.
DeWine’s order will become effective on Monday, March 23, at 11:59 PM and last until at least April 6. The order serves as a two-week lockdown for state residents.
Non-essential businesses will close. Essential businesses like pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, carry-out restaurants, laundromats, fire stations, hospitals, and police will still operate. The order does not apply to public transportation, public-benefit hotlines, or public sanitation services.
"This is a war on a silent enemy," Acton said. "I don't want you to be afraid. I am not afraid. I am determined, but I need you to do everything. I want you to think about the fact this is our one shot in this country. All of us are going to have to sacrifice, and I know someday we will be looking back and wondering what was it we did in this moment. There will be so many heroes.
"Everyone is being heroic right now, and I can tell you that every action you take is mattering, but this is that moment. It is our one shot," she added.
