Ohio Governor Mike DeWine provided the following updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CONDENSED HEALTH ORDER
Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health will issue a simplified health order that streamlines previous orders into a single order that underscores the most important tenants of infection prevention.
“Our understanding of this virus and how it spreads is much more advanced than it was when we first learned about coronavirus in early 2020,” said Governor DeWine. “As we move to begin a new chapter in our fight against the pandemic, where more and more Ohioans are being vaccinated, this new order will focus on our best defense measures against COVID-19, such as wearing a mask, social distancing, limiting large gatherings, being outside, and practicing good hand hygiene.”
- Director’s Order for Social Distancing, Facial Coverings, and Non-Congregating
- Director’s Order Rescinding Various Orders
HIGH SCHOOL VACCINATIONS
Governor DeWine announced that he has asked Ohio’s local health departments and vaccine providers that are offering the Pfizer vaccine to coordinate with local high schools to offer vaccinations to high school students who are 16 or older. Pfizer is the only vaccine that is currently approved for children as young as 16.
Today’s announcement follows last week’s announcement that vaccination clinics will be offered at all higher education campuses in the coming weeks.
“As with our colleges, by taking vaccines to schools, we’ll increase the percentage of people in this age group who choose to get vaccinated,” said Governor DeWine.