shutdown
Lawmakers pass bill restricting pandemic shutdowns
State lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday that would block the governor from temporarily closing a business due to a pandemic or terrorism event so long as the business follows the safety precautions of still-operating businesses. The proposal comes in response to lockdowns ordered by governors and health departments around the U.S. in March of 2020 as […]
Biden promises ‘no national shutdown’ despite surge in COVID-19
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden pressed the urgent need for economic relief and a vaccine distribution plan for states and tribes after a video meeting Thursday with bipartisan leaders of the National Governors Association. But Biden in a press conference in Wilmington, Del., also vowed there will be “no national shutdown” despite a surge in […]
Lawmakers send bill to governor to kneecap health department authority
The Ohio Legislature spurned the medical community and aligned itself with anti-vaccine groups Thursday, sending to Gov. Mike DeWine legislation that scuttles the state health department’s quarantine powers. In a party line vote, House Republicans passed Senate Bill 311, which prohibits the Ohio Department of Health from issuing statewide and regional quarantine or isolation orders […]
Ice cream. Guns. Grocery bags. Ohio legislature gets to work
In what could be the last full legislative day before November elections, boozy ice cream, grocery bags and gun stores drove the Ohio General Assembly’s agenda. House Republicans, who generally do not wear masks and have skipped on COVID-19 social distancing accommodations in the chamber, passed legislation Wednesday to ban local governments from imposing any […]
DeWine ‘willing’ to re-close businesses if COVID-19 outbreaks flare
Facing simultaneous public health and economic crises, Gov. Mike DeWine affirmed Monday a willingness to re-order businesses closed should a COVID-19 outbreak occur on a local level. Though he didn’t offer any specific metrics, he said the local county health commissioner could issue the orders as well, if he and Ohio Department of Health Director […]