Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he supports Dayton’s decision to require residents to wear face masks in public places.
The Dayton City Commission approved an ordinance Wednesday requiring “face coverings in public spaces.”
The ordinance took effect Friday morning and orders residents to “cover their nose and mouth” in indoor public places or in outdoor places where social distancing is not possible.
“I know that no one is excited about wearing a mask,” Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said in a press release. “I know that wearing a mask is uncomfortable. I know that, unfortunately, wearing a mask has become a political flash point. But I also know that masks save lives. Masks are incredibly effective in reducing the spread of this virus. Masks are a small sacrifice that we can all make to take care of one another and to keep our businesses open as we continue to weather this storm.”
The ordinance does not require all people to wear a mask in every circumstance. Children under the age of six are not required to wear a mask, nor are people with medical conditions, mental health conditions, or developmental disabilities that restrict or limit their ability to wear a mask.
The order doesn’t apply in instances where it is “impracticable” to wear a mask, such as when eating or drinking, swimming, receiving medical or dental treatment, or inside a facility where distance between guests can be maintained.
Gov. DeWine said he supports “Mayor Whaley’s and Dayton’s decision to require the use of masks in public places.”
“It’s an appropriate and welcome response to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in their area,” he said in a statement. “Masks are recommended by the CDC and medical professionals to help protect other people. Wearing a mask will allow us to help keep businesses open and help prevent further spikes. I encourage other communities to consider following Dayton’s lead.”
In his plan for reopening Ohio’s economy released in early May, DeWine attempted to include a statewide requirement to wear a face mask in any retail business. The next day, however, he changed his mind about the policy after learning that some Ohioans found it “offensive.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
