Ohio Extending Curfew Due To Coronavirus Threat

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Department of Health will extend the state's curfew, Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week.

The curfew is in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The curfew was first implemented in November 2020. DeWine said additional details on the curfew's extension will be forthcoming.

As before, the curfew will not apply to a bevy of Ohioans, including:

• Those going to and from work
• Those having an emergency
• Those in need of medical care
• Those getting groceries or going to the pharmacy
• Those picking-up or delivering food

While food delivery is permitted under the curfew, restaurants and bars cannot service food and drink within an establishment after 10 p.m.

DeWine said Thursday that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to Ohioans.

"Out of any 200 Ohioans, at least one has tested positive for COVID during the past two weeks. We still have more than one out of four patients who are COVID positive in our ICUs," the governor said.

The original curfew was intended to last three weeks, but was extended in December. DeWine has previously said he hopes the curfew will curtail public gatherings and transmission of the virus.