Businesses do their part to slow virus
Ohio’s businesses have largely been spared blame for the state’s latest spike in coronavirus cases, leading some professional groups to argue they deserve more freedom.
A wide variety of businesses have taken the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions and shutdowns.
For two to three months, dining at restaurants and bars was prohibited, as was catching a movie at a theater or working out in a gym. Offices were asked to have their employees work from home if they could, and many continue to do so.
“One of the interesting factors to realize up front is the workplace is not the problem right now,” said Andrew Doehrel, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “Employers have instituted the right safety procedures … you’re probably safer there than most other places.”
Moving forward, Doehrel said businesses still have more work to do though, and that will come in the form of education and outreach.
In the past, businesses have done a lot of outreach with employees regarding things like voting and volunteering, Doehrel said. Now, he said they’re looking at ways to educate their workforces about masks and hygiene.
Gov. Mike Dewine has largely given businesses a pass as a cause for the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Instead, the governor has for weeks said the spike is the result of people being less careful at casual private gatherings, weddings and funerals.
“The spread is not so much in workplaces, it’s not so much in classrooms. … It’s when people are doing more casual things, getting together,” Dewine said during a stop to speak about COVID-19 in Cleveland on Monday.
One issue remains a sticking point for some businesses though, and bars and restaurants in particular – Ohio’s last call order.
While most bars and restaurants were closed in mid-march and allowed to reopen in May, they still haven’t fully returned to normal operations. A 10 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales for onsite consumption has been in place for bars and restaurants across Ohio since July 31.
Bar and restaurant owners would like the curfew to be pushed back to mid