What COVID-19 Means for You: Summary of Orders and Advisories

As the coronavirus outbreak has officially become a global pandemic, it has had a number of dramatic effects on society and the economy, not the least of which is “social distancing.” But what does that even mean? Essentially, social distancing means staying a minimum of six feet apart from other people to prevent the spread of the virus. Trying to maintain that distance at all points of the day can be a lot harder than you think. Practicing social distancing means avoiding bars, restaurants, stores, and other venues that bring you in close contact with other people. When possible, it is also preferred to work from home – your desks at the office are almost definitely not six feet apart. To enforce social distancing and slow the rate of infection, state and federal governments have called for a number of emergency measures in the last month. Here’s what you need to know, and how it may affect you.

Ohio Coronavirus Orders

Over a series of press conferences since the start of the outbreak, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has made the following mandates:

• All Ohioans must stay at home through at least April 6, aside from the following exceptions:
  • Essential activities for health and safety, such as visiting a doctor
  • Outdoor activity, aside from playgrounds
  • Gathering necessary supplies and services, such as food or toiletries
  • Essential work, such as healthcare and energy
  • Taking care of others
• Gatherings of more than 100 people are banned
• Bars and restaurants must close to dine-in patrons
• Nail salons, hair salons, barbershops, and tattoo parlors must close to all patrons
• Daycare centers must operate under a temporary pandemic childcare license (maximum of six children per room)
• Schools serving grades K-12 are on extended spring break until at least April 3, with the potential to remain closed through the remainder of the school year
• State-mandated educational testing is on hold
• Employees who do not receive paid sick leave from their employers may receive unemployment benefits if they are advised to self-isolate by a health care professional
• The standard waiting period to receive unemployment benefits is waived
• Jury trials are suspended
• Warrants will not be issued for failure to appear for traffic violations and non-violent misdemeanors
• Electric and gas utilities will not be shut off for failure to pay
• Foreclosures and evictions will be suspended through the end of April (by order of the Department of Housing and Urban Development)
• The majority (181 out of 186) of Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle locations will close
• Traffic tickets will not be written for drivers who are unable to renew their expired licenses due to the closing of the BMVs
• The Ohio National Guard will be deployed to help with food distribution
• Small businesses can apply for low-interest long-term loans to help with closures

What Is Considered “Essential” Work?

Many businesses are going full-remote or closing completely in the wake of the pandemic to prevent its spread. The exception is, of course, those deemed “essential. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has created a list of industries and workers that are needed on-site, rather than remote, and should remain open. This list is not a federal order, but a set of guidelines.

• Healthcare (such as doctors, nurses, caregivers, pharmacists, etc.) and public health (such as social workers, funeral and cemetery workers, laboratory personnel and researchers, etc.)
• Law enforcement, public safety (including emergency management personnel), and first responders (including 911 call center workers)
• Food and agriculture (including grocery store workers, delivery drivers, and warehouse workers)
• Energy (including telecommunications, utility workers, engineers, and cybersecurity)
• Water and wastewater
• Transportation and logistics (such as trash collectors, postal workers, air traffic controllers, truck stop and rest area workers, etc.)
• Public works (such as workers who operate, inspect, and maintain dams, bridges, sewer mains, etc.)
• Communications and information technology (such as workers who support media service, data center employees, satellite technicians, etc.)
• Other community-based government operations and essential functions (such as elections personnel, trade officials, customs workers, weather forecasters, etc.)
• Critical manufacturing (including food and agriculture, chemical, nuclear, medical supply chain, defense, etc.)
• Hazardous materials (such as nuclear, medical waste, and laboratories processing test kits)
• Financial services
• Chemical (including workers who transport basic raw chemical materials to manufacturing plants for hand sanitizer, paper products, and other essential goods)
• Defense (including security personnel, intelligence support, aircraft and weapon systems mechanics, etc.)

Have Questions?

If you want to learn more about current updates in the fight against coronavirus, please visit the Ohio Department of Health’s website. While Nurenberg Paris’s physical office is closed in compliance with state recommendations, we know that our services are still essential to our clients. We will remain available remotely to answer questions, advance accident victims’ cases, and help get you the money you so sorely need after your injury. Don’t hesitate to contact us 24/7 to be connected to a member of our team.

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