No Masks Required For Vaccinated Ohioans: State Drops Mandate

COLUMBUS, OH — With a few exceptions, fully vaccinated Ohioans no longer have to wear masks in public.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the change in Ohio's health orders on Monday, noting that the state's mandates now align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unvaccinated Ohioans must still wear masks in public.

Additionally, fully vaccinated Ohioans must still wear masks when in a health care setting (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), while traveling on public transportation, and at businesses that require customers and employees to wear masks.

"If a business chooses to require masking for employees and customers, that is permitted under the CDC guidance and our order. If a business chooses not to require masks and leave that choice to customers and employees, that is also in line with the CDC guidance and our order," DeWine said.

The changes to Ohio's mask mandates come weeks before the state completely removes all COVID-19 health requirements. DeWine previously said that Ohio will lift all restrictions on June 2, citing improving vaccination rates and falling cases.