That includes: It depends on the venue, and the performer, who can still make their own rules at most venues. More education news: Get updates on Columbus schools, Ohio State and more with new education newsletter. Due to guidance from Franklin County Public Health, the cities of Columbus, Whitehall, and Bexley all reinstated mask mandates back in September. Ohio Supreme Court re-institutes mask mandate as Columbus COVID-19 For sure I think as numbers decrease, and hopefully as we see that being a long-term trend, I would imagine that people would become frustrated with it, said Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler. "While there's no doubt we are quickly moving in the right direction, it's simply too early for us to declare victory given the reality that thousands of Ohioans are still being diagnosed with COVID-19 each and every day," said Vanderhoff. That city council voted to follow the agency's recommendations Monday like Columbus. State leaders have cited declining COVID-19 infection rates and rising vaccination rates as the reason behind the decisions. Bittersweet honor: Columbus airman helps hospital workers during COVID-19, 'Hero pay': Columbus first responders were promised $1,000; they haven't seen a dime. Most Columbus businesses complied with mask mandate, inspection reports show, removed their mask mandates in recent weeks, Get updates on Columbus schools, Ohio State and more with new education newsletter, is keeping its mask and vaccine requirement. COVID is at its worst. Mask mandates aren't coming back. Why? On Feb. 16, the mayors office announced that mask requirements could be lifted in the coming weeks if virus levels continue to decline, sharing the update after a meeting with officials who represent Bexley, Whitehall and Worthington. There were 363 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the15-county hospitalization region that includes Franklin County as of Wednesday, according to the Ohio Hospital Association. September 10, 2021, emergency proclamation or until further act of COVID-19, there exists a need for a face covering (mask) requirement in the City of Columbus. OSU announced Tuesday that it would end the mandate on Friday in general-purpose buildings, residence halls, dining facilities, classrooms, offices and the Ohio Union. Nick Houser leads the digital media team and oversees all things digital, including wosu.org, columbusneighborhoods.org, digital content, the WOSU Public Media Mobile App, social media, enewsletters, podcasts and on-demand video. Columbus OH 43215-9015 columbuscitycouncil.org File Number: 2388-2021 . . The pandemic is not over, but the situation has changed, and we are in a new phase, Roberts said. State, federal and religious buildings have not been included, meaning those agencies and institutions decided their own policy. I mean, we want to get to the point where we as a community, are safe in reducing that mask mandate.. Updated: 6:17 PM EST March 7, 2022 COLUMBUS, Ohio Columbus City Council voted unanimously to rescind the city's mask mandate, with Mayor Andrew Ginther quickly signing the ordinance. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginthers office said Friday it is evaluating the federal guidance as city officialsconsider liftingthe indoor mask requirement that has been in place since September. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus mask mandate probably won't stop flu season, experts say, Megan Henry is the Columbus Dispatch's K-12 education reporter. complications. COLUMBUS, Ohio States across the country are easing their mask mandates for indoor settings as coronavirus cases nationwide have slowed down. Penalties for mask mandate: Most Columbus businesses complied with mask mandate, inspection reports show. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus mask mandate 2022: Where do I still have to mask? . Ohio as a whole recently reached 50,000 new cases within . In Columbus, a mask mandate remains in effect for now. Columbus Public Health recommended that the mask mandate end Monday. Others have lifted the mandates in schools. @ColumbusCouncil voted to lift this requirement based on new CDC mask guidelines & public health recommendations. A previous mask mandate ended in early June, about a week after a. Indoor mask mandate: When will Columbus lift its mask order? "Council is taking action to respond responsibly, but we only win against Columbus' mask mandate had covered all indoor public spaces in city limits and applied to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Yes. Yes. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. The federal Transportation Safety Administration is still requiring masks on public transportation until Friday, March 18. These experts aren't quite ready. Upper Arlington does Feb. 28. Follow her on Twitter @megankhenry. Following recent virus declines, Franklin County is at themedium level, according to the CDC. At the time the mask mandate was issued, Columbus Public Health recommended that the county's positivity rate needs to be between 5% and 7.99% and the case rate has to be 10-49 per 100,000 in order to move to the yellow level. Columbus mask mandate is over: What to know about mask policies at At the medium level, the CDC recommends people at increased risk consult with a health professional about wearing a mask. As we move from a pandemic to endemic, there may be times in the future when mask advisories or mandates could become necessary as new variants come to our community. 30 Apr 2023 13:50:15 If youre vaccinated, boosted, whatever, and you want to wear a mask, go ahead, said resident David Dietz. CAPA, the area's largest operator of entertainment venues, is keeping its mask and vaccine requirement in place until April 4. As we prepare to adjust restrictions, we continue to support our educational leaders and recognize that classroom restrictions may vary from public space restrictions due to the unique challenges or maintaining a safe and inclusive learning and teaching environment," Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard said. because of the delta variant and we must do everything we can to protect our community trespassing laws if a resident refuses to comply with the mandate on the Public health officials are advising masks should be worn indoors and in crowded areas regardless of vaccination status. The Wexner Center for the Arts: The venue is looking at its policy and will offer more information in the coming days. Drexel Theatre: The theater will no longer mandate masks or proof of vaccination. In Ohio, state health officials reported a steady decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the course of one month. In Ohio, state health officials reported a steady decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the course of one month. The ordinance requires residents over the age of three to wear Yes. But that doesn't mean you should throw your mask away completely. The CDCs new guidance bases mask recommendation on three transmission levels low, medium and high, which are determined by cases, hospitalizations and hospital capacity. Announcing the possible end date, officials encouraged residents to get vaccines and boosters and noted that the city councils for Columbus and Worthington will need to take action to remove the mandate. New CDC map shows Greater Columbus mostly medium COVID risk, masks may Herbert said Mount Carmel communicates regularly with city officials about its public health recommendations, including its support for masking. is keeping its mask and vaccine requirement, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Shadowbox Live: Effective Monday, the theater will no longer require guests to wear masks. At the low level, there is no recommendation for masks. Dr. Mark Herbert, infectious disease specialist at Mount Carmel Health in Columbus, said Friday that his advice to city officials is to continue requiring masks. Columbus Public Health. We continue to emphasize that the vaccine and boosters are the best tool we have in the fight against COVID-19 and encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated.. Stay connected with our daily stories, in-depth reporting and more by clicking Subscribe at the top of the page. Your subscription to the Dispatch helps support local journalism. Masks are still required, however, on CABS buses, in clinical health care settings such as at the Wexner Medical Center, COVID-19 testing locations and child care centers. Health experts are also concerned about seeing a rebound in flu cases this year since people didnt get exposed to the flu variants last year. At the medium level, the CDC recommends people at increased risk consult with a health professional about wearing a mask. Several cities in Greater Columbus are expected to consider lifting theirrespective indoor mask mandates in the coming weeks if COVID-19 transmission rates and hospitalizations continue to decline. 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