County Fairs Can Proceed This Summer In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — County fairs will be allowed to move forward in Ohio this summer, Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week.

The Ohio Department of Health issued a revised health order allowing all fair activities to reopen, as long as certain conditions are met. Guests must wear masks and social distancing must be implemented.

There will also be a 25 percent maximum capacity for indoor grandstands and a 30 percent maximum capacity for outdoor grandstands, DeWine noted.

While announced these health orders, the governor kept open the possibility of lifting all COVID-19 restriction.

If Ohio hits a COVID-19 case rate of 50 cases per 100,000 residents, DeWine promised to remove all COVID-19 orders. Currently, Ohio is at a rate of 155 cases per 100,000 residents.

"It's possible that when we get to the first month of fairs we could be off the health orders," DeWine said.

The Ohio Department of Health is expected to release updated orders and guidance on festivals, parades, proms and spring sports.

For spring sports, DeWine said, students will not be required to quarantine if they have had incidental exposure to COVID-19 in a classroom, unless they develop symptoms. Other guidance will be forthcoming.