Govenor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that a statewide mask order would be in effect beginning today, Thursday, July 23, 2020.

Masks must be worn at all times when:

• At an indoor location that’s not a residence
• Outdoors, when unable to keep 6ft social distance from those not in your household
• When waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation such as a taxi, car service or private rideshare

The exceptions to the mandate are:

• Those who are 9 years old or younger do not need to wear a mask
• Those with a medical condition or a disability or those communicating with someone with a disability
• Those who are actively exercising or playing sports
• Those who are officiants at religious services
• Those who are actively involved in public safety
• Those who are actively eating or drinking

DeWine posted on Twitter that “Wearing masks will make a difference. It will determine what our fall looks like. We want kids to go back to school, we want to see sports — to do that it’s very important that all Ohioans wear a mask.”