COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--In an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Mike DeWine is instituting a curfew for the state of Ohio, to last for three weeks.
It begins Thursday, and runs from 10PM to 5AM. DeWine says exceptions are for going to and from work, in an emergency, and to get food.
DeWine says retail establishments should be closed during that time. He adds the curfew gives law enforcement an opportunity to educate, not necessarily to issue citations.
The President of the Ohio Restaurant Association, John Barker, is in favor of the curfew, he joined DeWine's press conference on Tuesday to say the curfew is an alternative to another shutdown of local bars and restaurants.
Barker adds that establishments are doing their best to stop the spread of COVID-19, and the spread is now mostly occurring at private social gatherings.
On Tuesday, the state reported another 7,000+ coronavirus cases, with the 21-day average now over 5,000 per day.