COVID-19 Update: New Health Order, Youth Vaccination FAQs, Vax-a-Million Update,

Resources for Ohio Employers

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW HEALTH ORDER

Today, the Ohio Department of Health amended its remaining health order to conform to the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which allows those who have been vaccinated to stop wearing masks. Under the CDC's new guidance, those who have not been vaccinated should still wear a mask and socially distance.

Ohio's order reflects the CDC's recommendation that everyone wear masks when in a healthcare setting, when traveling on public transportation (including airplanes), and when at a business or employer that chooses to require masks.

The CDC recommendations make clear that businesses will be able to choose for themselves whether they continue to require masks in their premises. If a business chooses to require masking for employees and customers, that is permitted under the CDC guidance and Ohio's order. If a business chooses not to require masks and leave that choice to customers and employees, that is also permitted in the CDC guidance and Ohio's order.

As advised by the CDC, Ohio's order also continues to require masking in congregate settings, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and in settings with large numbers of unvaccinated individuals, such as schools and daycare centers.

YOUTH VACCINATION FAQs

The Ohio Department of Health has created a newFrequently Asked Questions documentto answer common questions from parents, guardians, and youth about COVID-19 vaccines.

The document shares information about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, parental consent, where children can be vaccinated, and more.

Just like adults, youth can be vaccinated atmany locations across the statethat are offering the Pfizer vaccine. This vaccine is available at Children’s Hospitals, as well as a number of regular hospitals, local health departments, retail pharmacies, community health centers, primary care physicians, and some pediatricians.

Parents who would like their child to be vaccinated at their pediatrician's office are encouraged to call the office first and ask if they are administering the Pfizer vaccine. Pediatricians that are not yet registered to be vaccine providers are encouraged to sign up. Pediatricians and other potential vaccine providers can find more information atodh.ohio.gov.

VAX-A-MILLION UPDATE

Governor DeWine announced today that the Ohio Vax-a-Million drawing will be an opt-in program. Starting tomorrow, Ohioans will be asked to register for the drawings by visiting OhioVaxaMillion.com or by calling the Ohio Department of Health at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

Detailed information about the drawings is available in thispress releasefrom the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Lottery.

RESOURCES FOR OHIO EMPLOYERS

As Ohio’s economy recovers, businesses continue to experience difficulty filling open positions. Lt. Governor Husted today outlined the process for employers to report work refusals on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) website. This includesjfs.ohio.gov,unemployment.ohio.gov, andOhioMeansJobs.com.

Because of the wide availability of both jobs and the vaccine in the state, ODJFS now has several buttons featured prominently on their websites for employers to report former employees who are receiving unemployment but have refused offers of suitable work.

Ohio law states that individuals are not entitled to unemployment benefits if they have resigned or have declined an offer of suitable work by filling out the “Eligibility Notice/Refusal to Return to Work Form.”

Employers reporting work refusals should be prepared to provide their name, email address, Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), claimant name, claimant ID or the last four digits of the claimant’s Social Security number, and additional details about the specific situation.

ODJFS will then investigate and send both parties an appealable determination on whether the quit or work refusal was for good cause.

Ohio law states that individuals are not entitled to unemployment benefits if they have resigned or have declined an offer of suitable work without “good cause."

Individuals can visit OhioMeansJobs.com or contact their local OhioMeansJobs center to find and apply for job openings, take skill and career interest assessments, create or improve their resume, or practice interviewing.

OhioMeansJobs.com currently lists more than 180,000 job openings, and nearly 95,000 of them pay more than $50,000 per year.

To find contact information for your nearest OhioMeansJobs center, visitOhioMeansJobs.comand select “FIND A JOB CENTER” at the bottom of the page or call 1-888-296-7541.

CASE DATA/VACCINE INFORMATION

In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Ohio's central scheduling system:gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov

Ohio mass vaccination information:coronavirus.ohio.gov/massvaccinationclinics

All vaccine providers:vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov

More vaccine information:coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine

Video of today's full update, including versions with foreign language translation, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel's YouTube page.

For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

Toby Knapp

About Toby Knapp