Ohio's Workplace Face Covering Requirements

In yesterday’s press conference, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted clarified practices for wearing face coverings in the workplace as Ohioans return to work. In the workplace, across all sectors, face coverings are required when you are on the job. But there are exceptions. An employee is not required to wear a face covering when:

1. An employee in a particular position is prohibited by a law or regulation from wearing a face covering while on the job;

2. Wearing a face covering on the job is against documented industry best practices;

3. Wearing a face covering is not advisable for health purposes;

4. Wearing a face covering is a violation of a company’s safety policies;

5. An employee is sitting alone in an enclosed workspace; or

6. There is a practical reason a face covering cannot be worn by an employee.

If any of these exceptions apply to your business or one of your employees, written justification must be provided upon request.

The Ohio Department of Health has updated its guidance and info-graphics here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/responsible-restart-ohio/Sector-Specific-Operating-Requirements/.