COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that the Ohio Department of Health issued a revised order that allows for the reopening of all fair activities if certain health conditions are met.
The updated order includes compliance with the statewide mask order and social distancing. Additionally, there will be a 25 percent maximum for indoor grandstand capacity and a 30 percent maximum for outdoor grandstand capacity.
“While COVID-19 made it impossible to hold fairs and animal exhibitions in the way we have in the past, they are of such importance to communities that every effort should be made to reopen them safely,” said ODH Director Stephanie McCloud in the revised order. “If the situation continues to improve, then more restrictions will be lifted, and if the situation deteriorates additional targeted restrictions will need to be made.”
The order says, “Each fair and animal exhibition shall designate an on-site compliance officer, for all hours of operation, whose responsibility is to ensure compliance with the Order. The designated individual shall be the contact person for the local health department and law enforcement agency which has jurisdiction.”
Last month, Ohio Farm Bureau and other agriculture groups sent a letter to Governor DeWine asking for guidance so that county, independent and Ohio State fairs have adequate time to plan and prepare for the 2021 season. The order accomplished that.
““We appreciate Governor DeWine’s response to our request for guidelines for our county and independent fairs to move forward with the planning process for the 2021 season,” said Adam Sharp, OFBF executive vice president. “These fairs bring great pride to Ohio communities and the 4-H and FFA exhibitors at our fairs proudly represent what Ohio agriculture is all about. Putting these guidelines in place will help to keep fair attendees safe and we look forward to a successful, and much needed, fair season across Ohio.”
To read the entire revised order from the Ohio Department of Health, click here.
— Ohio Governor’s Office
— Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
For more articles out of Ohio, click here.
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