COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Tuesday that customers going into businesses will not be required to wear a mask, but it is highly recommended.
The recommendation came after the governor announced the state’s plan to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic which included retail businesses on May 12.
Initially, DeWine said the masks would be required for both customers and employees before changing it the following date.
Following up on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted reemphasized that employers and employees will be required to wear a face covering while on the job.
“Wearing a mask is something we do out of mutual respect for one another,” Husted said. “At work, you wear a mask because you want to protect your fellow employees and because you want to protect your customers. And when you are a customer, though it isn’t required, you should still wear a mask because it will help protect those around you.”
Husted also provided a list of exceptions for those workers:
- An employee in a particular position is prohibited by a law or regulation from wearing a face covering while on the job
- Wearing a face covering on the job is against documented industry best practices
- Wearing a face covering is not advisable for health purposes
- If wearing a face covering is a violation of a company’s safety policies
- An employee is sitting alone in an enclosed workspace
- There is a practical reason a face covering cannot be worn by an employee