Today, Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Director of the Ohio Department of Health Acton issued a stay at home order for the state of Ohio. The order goes into effect Monday, March 23 at 11:59 pm and remains in effect until April 6 requiring citizens to remain in their homes with certain exceptions including:
- “Essential activities” involving health and safety;
- Gathering necessary supplies and services;
- Outdoor activities except for closed playgrounds;
- Certain types of work deemed essential; or,
- To take care of others.
Details of the order can be found at this link: Order of Dr. Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health
Information on specific economic sectors:
Stores That Sell Groceries and Medicine
Gas Stations and Transportation
In accordance with the Amended Stay At Home Order that was issued that goes into effect on April 7, 2020, and runs through May 1 at 11:59 p.m. by Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH under the direction of Governor Mike DeWine, the following is guidance regarding dispute resolutions for essential and non-essential businesses. To submit a dispute, fill out this Dispute Resolution Form and submit it to [email protected]. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
“NFIB acknowledges the very difficult decisions Governor DeWine has been forced to make in balancing the health and safety of Ohioans with the potentially dramatic impact on Ohio’s economy. First, we want to recognize Governor DeWine’s and Lt. Governor Husted’s strong leadership in working with Ohio’s business leaders on this decision,” said Roger Geiger, Vice President and Executive Director for NFIB in Ohio.
“NFIB supports the definition of the list of essential businesses as identified by Governor DeWine and the key safety measures business needs to take to keep workers and customers safe. While this order will no doubt impact many small businesses across Ohio, our state’s entrepreneurs have been and will continue to provide critical services during this on-going crisis. I am certain that they will do their part and step up to see us through these unprecedented times,” he continued.
“We appreciate, in particular, the Lt. Governor’s recognition of the many unique and creative steps the vast majority of Ohio businesses have already undertaken to protect their employees and customers from this deadly virus. Those small businesses that are crucial to maintaining critical services will remain open, but mindful of their obligations to do so in a safe manner,” Geiger said.
“We know many small business owners are using their ingenuity to figure out how to keep their operations running through empowering their employees to work from home whenever possible through the use of technology. In addition, many small businesses continue to find innovative ways to serve their customers through the online world,” he added.
“Small business owners will be looking to their local, state, and federal leaders to continue to provide the necessary recovery tools such as economic stimulus, revenue, and leniency when it comes to taxes, credit, and regulations. Historically it is small businesses that have led us through an economic recovery, and I am confident they will do so again,” Geiger concluded.
On the federal end, NFIB issued the following statement from NFIB President Brad Close in response to the United State Senate’s failure to advance S. 3548, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, on Sunday, March 22, 2020:
“We are disappointed the Senate failed to provide crucial and immediate financial assistance that small businesses tell us they so desperately need. Small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges during this public health crisis. State and local governments continue to shut down businesses and quarantine workers, while small business owners are doing everything they can to support their employees. We are grateful to Senators Collins, Rubio, and Crapo for their efforts to provide immediate help to small business owners, which have attracted bipartisan support. We encourage them to continue their hard work and improve the provisions so that our nation’s small businesses can get the support they need during this critical time.”
NFIB in the News for the week of 4/20/20 Clips Week of 4-20-20
