DeWine Extends Ohio's Overnight Coronavirus Curfew

Updated: 3:54 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020

Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday extended Ohio’s overnight curfew until Jan. 2, as the state health department reported the fourth-highest day of new COVID-19 cases to date.

The 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew began Nov. 19 and was set to expire Thursday.

A curfew variance has been granted to allow fans to attend four sporting events over the coming weeks: the Cleveland Browns Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 14, the Columbus Crew MLS Cup final on Saturday in Columbus and upcoming Cincinnati Bengals and University of Cincinnati football games.

Spectators must observe standard virus protection rules, including mask wearing and social distancing, DeWine said, and the events have the added safety benefits of being held in large, outdoor venues.

“To be really honest and frank, the biggest threat from these games is not what goes on inside the stadium," he said. “The biggest risk from these games is not the spectators who will attend these games following safety protocols, but from other fans not attending the game in person who may have that urge to gather to watch these games inside without following the mask and social distancing protocol. We would just ask you to please rethink that. Enjoy these events responsibly.”

In addition to 11,738 new COVID-19 cases, the Ohio Department of Health on Thursday also reported 111 coronavirus deaths, 452 new hospitalizations and 31 new ICU admissions.

Lake and Lorain counties are back to Level 3, or red, coronavirus risk, according to the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. But Five Northeast Ohio counties remain at purple or Level 4 risk for severe exposure and spread of COVID-19: Portage, Summit, Stark, Medina and Richland.

Two counties, Ashland and Guernsey, are on the watch list to potentially go from purple to red and three rural counties — Noble, Harris and Washington — are red for the first time this week.

Daily New Confirmed & Probable COVID-19 Cases In Ohio
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A growing concern is the incidence of COVID-19 cases in hospital intensive care units.

“In my clinical experience it’s almost unheard of to have half an ICU with one condition,” said ODH Medical Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.

DeWine warned that while hopeful news of a vaccine is on the horizon, with U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the first COVID-19 virus available in the United States expected late Thursday, remaining vigilant about slowing the spread is imperative.

“We cannot afford on the very eve of a safe and effective vaccination to further overwhelm our hospitals and healthcare providers with a healthcare tsunami,” DeWine said.

Stay Safe Ohio Protocols Outlined To Avoid ‘Healthcare Tsunami’

Twelve healthcare providers from around Ohio outlined familiar measures that are part of the Stay Safe Ohio plan DeWine said is crucial to help the Buckeye State get through the next 21 days, including the holiday season.

“I believe it is our pathway to getting through this crucial time as best we can,” DeWine said. “This is about living with this virus, and living with it safely. It is imperative that we take an effective, fact based approach.”

The Stay Safe Ohio protocols include:

• Stay home.
• Wear your mask.
• Keep interactions short and stay apart.
• Wash your hands.
• Work from home.
• Celebrate safe. Celebrate small.
• Don’t eat or drink with anyone outside of your household.
• Limit travel.
• Keep weddings and funerals safe.
• Enjoy safe holiday activities.

[Office of Gov. Mike DeWine]

“Please stay home. Home is the safest place,” said University Hospitals Chief Clinical and Scientific Officer Dr. Daniel Simon, one of the 12 Ohio physicians invited to make the plea for continued safety Thursday.