Grandview Heights, Dublin, Whitehall among latest to mandate masks to slow COVID-19 spread
Add Dublin, Grandview Heights and Whitehall to the quickly growing list of central Ohio communities that are -- or soon will be -- requiring face coverings to be worn to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The move comes as the number of coronavirus cases in Ohio increased by another 926 on Saturday, bringing the state’s total known and presumed cases from the pandemic to 56,183.
The state also recorded another four deaths from the virus on the Fourth of July, raising the statwide death toll to 2,907. There were 27 new hospitalizations for 8,111 total and eight intensive-care admissions for a total of 2,052.
In Franklin County, cases have now topped 10,000, with 198 new cases pushing total county cases to 10,023 -- by far the highest in the state.
“The public must take responsibility in preventing the community spread of COVID-19,” Dublin City Manager Dana McDaniel said in a news release announcing he had signed an executive order requiring face coverings, effective Monday. “Wearing a face covering supports our local business community, keeps our economy open and may save lives.”
McDaniel’s action follows recommendations from the Franklin County Board of Health to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
He emphasized that “the intent of the order is to educate” but did add that a violation is a third-degree misdemeanor.
The cities of Bexley and Columbus, along with some other Ohio cities, already had put a mask mandate in place.
Upper Arlington City Council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday to consider emergency legislation to require facial coverings in indoor public spaces. If approved, the measure would go into effect immediately.
Council members will meet remotely and broadcast the proceedings on the City Council page of the city’s website, upperarlingtonoh.gov, and on the city’s Facebook page, @CityofUA.
Franklin County Public Health also is exploring its authority to mandate masks countywide. The county has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the state and is at a Level 3 of 4 in the state’s county-by-county warning system.
The Dublin order requires people to mask up in businesses and outdoor spaces where social distancing can’t happen. That includes while in parking lots and on sidewalks.
People who are spectators at sporting events and activities in city parks or on school properties also must wear a facial covering.
A full list of the requirements and exceptions can be found at www.dublinohiousa.gov.
Grandview Heights Mayor Greta M. Kearns on Saturday modified her previous order to now include a mask requirement that went into effect on Independence Day.
Her order specifically calls for masks in businesses and indoor spaces and on public transportation. More details of that order can be found at www.grandviewheights.org.
In Whitehall, a new mandate took effect Friday requiring masks in much the same way — at businesses, restaurants and bars (except while seated), and in public areas of offices.
More information for Whitehall’s rules and exceptions can be found at www.whitehall-oh.us.
Elsewhere in Ohio, the city of Dayton already had issued such an order, the first large city in the state to do so. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson on Friday ordered the use of face coverings effective immediately.Cincinnati will require masks starting Thursday.
Nate Ellis of ThisWeekNews.com contributed to this story.
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