Complete Story
05/05/2020
Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky Reopening Updates
Ohio State Press Conference Summary: 5/4
Monday, May 4: Governor DeWine extended the current stay-at-home order that was set to expire on 5/1 until 5/29. As part of the phased reopening of the state, health care/dentists/veterinarians were able to open on 5/1 with manufacturing/distribution/ construction along with general office environments opening as of 5/4. All businesses that open must follow the safety guidelines of masks and health screening for employees, increased hygiene and cleaning/sanitization throughout the day, as well a limit to the number of people allowed in the facility at one time (max of 50% of fire code). The governor encouraged any businesses to allow employees to work from home as much as possible. The next businesses opening date will be 5/12, with other retail businesses set to open.
Michigan State Press Conference Summary: 5/2 - 5/5
Monday, May 4: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2020-5, creating the Michigan COVID-19 Office of Accountability within the State Budget Office. The Accountability Office will provide oversight of all spending to address this crisis, and must report regularly on its work to the governor and the state budget director.
The Department of Technology, Management and Budget will designate a Chief COVID-19 Accountability Officer to lead the Accountability Office.
In addition, on Monday, Gov. Whitmer discussed that the Economic Recovery Council continues to finish up scoring for levels of risk associated with different sectors of our economy along with an overlay of protocols for PPE and other social distancing when returning to work. Michigan will continue to test as many individuals as possible and watch the numbers diligently.
Sunday, May, 3: Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-72, which extends until May 31, 2020 the rules regarding entry to care facilities designed to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order replaces the governor’s previous order, 2020-37. The order also requires employees of facilities covered by the order to wear face coverings while working within a facility.
In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of both the staff, patients and individuals under the facilities care, the order prohibits any visitors who are not necessary or essential to the services of care from entering health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities. The order also requires a health screening before entering a facility covered by the order.
Saturday, May 2: Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-71, which extends existing safety measures to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies until May 29, 2020. The order also extends temporary relief from licensing requirements for food sellers and pharmacies.
The executive order, in accordance to Executive Order 2020-60 extending to May 29th, established the following health and safety guidelines:
- Customers who can medically tolerate a face covering must wear one when entering a grocery store or pharmacy.
- Grocery stores and pharmacies must allocate at least two hours per week of shopping time for vulnerable populations.
- If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, the business must notify other employees without infringing on private health information.
Due to increased strain on Michigan’s food service industry, local health departments, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the governor has also extended the deadline for certain forms of licensing and registration.
Kentucky State Press Conference Summary: 5/1 - 5/4
Monday, May 4: Gov. Andy Beshear offered new details on guidelines for businesses and health care providers looking to restart safely as we continue to fight COVID-19.
What began with the phased reopening of certain health care services continues as other business sectors prepare to relaunch operations in Phase 1 of Healthy at Work. State leaders asked partners in the business community for proposals on how they plan to operate while keeping their customers safe, and the state has already received more than 1,000 plans. The proposals, while not required, are expected to include best practices to safely operate and each industry’s capabilities for reopening.
Under the schedule outlined by Gov. Beshear, more businesses will be allowed to open May 11 with new minimum requirements, as well as industry specific requirements.
As long as progress in the fight against COVID-19 is not threatened, additional business sectors will be allowed to open May 20 and May 25.
Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said Health Care Phase 2 will begin Wednesday, May 6, 2020, outpatient and ambulatory surgery and invasive procedures may resume.
Sunday, May 3: Gov. Andy Beshear urged Kentuckians to be ready to fill all available slots as the state undertakes more testing for COVID-19 than ever before. Gov. Beshear noted that, despite the Ashland area being hit relatively hard by the coronavirus, there were still hundreds of available slots for testing this week. “Please take advantage of it,” the Governor said. “Local leaders: Please reach out and push people to come and get tested.”
Friday, May 1: Gov. Andy Beshear announced the number of tests completed for COVID-19 at five different sites this week and encouraged Kentuckians to fill up all available appointments throughout the commonwealth. At many of the sites, anyone can now sign up for the free COVID-19 testing. A few sites still have qualifying criteria for getting tested.
Gov. Beshear also announced there would be no press conference tomorrow, in honor of what would have been Derby Day.
