On July 3, 2020, City Manager Dana McDaniel issued an Executive Order requiring face coverings within the City of Dublin which went into effect July 6, 2020. On July 8, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a State Order requiring people in seven counties, including Franklin County, to wear face coverings in all public places and outdoor spaces where six feet of social distancing is not possible.
To avoid any confusion, McDaniel, with the support of Dublin City Council, believes it is in the best interest of the City to rescind the City Manager’s previously issued Executive Order effective July 6, 2020, and replace it with the Ohio Department of Health’s Orderissued on July 8, 2020.
The State Order requires all individuals in Franklin County over the age of 10 to wear a face covering in all indoor places except for residences, and all outdoor spaces where consistent six feet of physical distancing is not possible. There are several exceptions listed in the State Order. Face coverings will be required for all individuals in Franklin County until the County is no longer designated as either Level 3 (Red) or Level 4 (Purple). Franklin County is currently at a Level 3 (Red).
McDaniel said now that the State of Ohio has come forward with a Public Health Advisory System using ten indicators across five data categories to assess a county’s alert level (1/Yellow; 2/Orange; 3/Red; 4/Purple), it is necessary for the City of Dublin to align to this Order to prevent confusion and conflicting guidance and, if necessary though not desired, confusion over enforcement.
“Our primary goal is to educate the public on the importance of wearing a face covering to protect themselves and others,” said McDaniel. “We acknowledge Ohio’s Interim Director of Health’s Order to require face coverings in Franklin County to stop the community spread of COVID-19. Since Dublin is in three counties (Union, Franklin and Delaware) the State Order only applies to areas in Franklin County, which is where the majority of our commercial and retail centers reside.” McDaniel noted that Union and Delaware are currently at Level 2 (Yellow) and the City strongly recommends face coverings in those areas of the City when indoors (except for residences) and outdoors if six feet of physical distancing can’t be maintained.
While the City of Dublin will continue to educate the public regarding the requirements of the State Health Order and strongly encourage compliance, the City can issue citations under the Ohio Revised Code for failure to comply with the Interim Director’s Order. This will be enforced only if necessary.
Media Contact
Sue Burness, Director of Communications & Public Information
sburness@dublin.oh.us
Mobile: 614.226.5382
www.dublinohiousa.gov
