With wide access to the life-saving coronavirus vaccine available, Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that most COVID-19 health orders would be removed on June 2. The timeline will allow any Ohioan who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine to obtain one to protect themselves and others before the lifting of coronavirus mitigation protocols.

 

Measures being removed will include facial covering protocols, social distancing guidelines, and capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events. The governor also said that lifting the orders does not prevent businesses, schools, and others from setting their own masking and distancing requirements. Any pandemic health orders that would remain solely relate to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which also must follow federal safety protocols, and data collection related to the pandemic.

 

In an effort to increase the number of Ohioans getting vaccinated, DeWine also announced a series of statewide drawings to encourage people to take action and ignore the herd immunity approach. Ohioans under the age of 18 who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be entered into a drawing for a full four-year scholarship to any of Ohio's state colleges and universities, including full tuition, room, and board.

 

Ohioans aged 18 and older will be entered into a weekly drawing with a prize of up to $1 million.

A total of five weekly drawings for each prize will take place, with the first winners being announced on May 26. Winners must have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the date of the respective drawing.

 

He encouraged businesses to provide incentives to employees to be vaccinated and to schedule workplace vaccination clinics for employees and their families.

 

To read DeWine's prepared remarks for his Wednesday address, please select this link.