OHIO- Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has signed an executive order mandating the use of facial coverings while in public places inside the Columbus city limits.
That announcement follows Wednesday’s largest jump in COVID-19 cases since April.
Ginther says it’s up to everyone to help control the spread of the virus.
“I know masks are uncomfortable. I know, especially on days like these, they’re hot. I know we are fatigued from fighting the spread of COVID-19. But we cannot let up now,” says Ginther.
Ginther’s executive order goes into effect Friday and requires face coverings at retail establishments, salons, tattoo parlors, and restaurants for staff and customers when a customer is not eating.
Cincinnati has also joined the growing list of cities in the process of requiring masks in the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Cincinnati city council will take up the issue at an emergency meeting Friday morning. Mayor John Cranley says coronavirus cases in Cincinnati are trending in the wrong direction.
“Masks are our best hope to keep the economy afloat and to keep people safe,” says Cranley.
Unlike Dayton’s new ordinance covering indoor and many outdoor locations, mayor Cranley says he supports an indoor-only requirement.
He says city council is drafting the proposal.
