Ohio Department of Health Director Issues “Stay At Home” Order Exempting Churches

This afternoon, the Ohio Department of Health issued a “Director’s Stay at Home Order.” For this order, home includes “homes or residences…hotels, motels, shared rental units, shelters, and similar facilities.” These requirements will take effect at 11:59 pm on Monday, and continue through April 6th.

Out of the 23-page order, here’s what you need to know:

This Order Prohibits

• Non-essential business, nonprofit, and educational operations open to the public. For example:

  • Gyms

  • Spas

  • Salons

  • Barber Shops

  • Tattoo Parlors

• Indoor and outdoor gatherings of ten or more non-household members. For example:

  • Playgrounds

  • Schools that cannot provide “distance learning” as required by prior orders

  • Concerts

  • Movie Theaters

  • In-restaurant dining

This Order Does Not Prohibit

• Businesses operating in a working-from-home manner, or any in-office “minimum basic operations” for payroll, human resources, inventory, etc.

• Essential business operations including the following are still permitted:

  • Churches and religious gatherings, although Citizens for Community Values recommends strongly that churches move to remote/online meetings for the time being. We will have more information on how churches can do this soon.

  • Attending and hosting weddings and funeral services

  • Public transit and private transportation services (i.e. taxi, Lyft, Uber, vehicle rentals)

  • Hotels, motels

  • Grocery stores, bakeries and pharmacies

  • Hardware stores

  • Food services, production, and distribution

  • Post offices, shipping and delivery services

  • Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers

  • Healthcare and Public Heath

  • Human Services (Job & Family Services, Senior in-home care, Adoption Agencies, Psychologists, Counselors, Case Management, Therapists, Probation Officers, Government Assistance Programs) as provided by the state or nonprofit organizations

  • Veterinary care offices

  • Farming and Agriculture

  • Firearm suppliers and retailers

  • News and Media services

  • Gas stations

  • Banks, lenders, brokers, title agencies, and insurance companies

  • Construction, electricians, plumbers, exterminators, security staff, cleaning and janitorial staff, HVAC, and other “critical trades…for safety, sanitation, and essential operation…”

  • Providers of office supply and other “work from home” products

• Essential activities and essential travel within and out of state. This includes:

  • Tasks and activities essential to personal or family health, or in carrying out activities for individuals who are unable to leave the home

  • Exercise and care for pets

  • Examples include “emergency services, obtaining medical supplies, medication, or visiting a health care professional”

  • Outdoor activities such as “walking, hiking, running, or biking”

• Essential Governmental Functions, which includes:

  • Judges and legal services (public or private)

  • Legislators

  • First Responders and Law Enforcement

  • Military

Citizens for Community Values will continue to keep you updated on the latest information from the state, and what it means for your family.

 As Ohio’s Family Policy Council, Citizens for Community Values seeks the good of our neighbors throughout Ohio by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. We endeavor to create an Ohio where God’s blessings of life, family, and religious freedom are treasured, respected, and protected.

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