Director's Order for Facial Coverings

Director’s Order for Facial Coverings      July 9, 2020

As you have likely heard by now, Hamilton County has been designated a “red” County in the newly implemented Public Health Advisory System. As such, Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director, Lance Himes have issued orders for the wearing of facial coverings in Hamilton County (details about the Advisory System and the order are attached).  Following are some of the pertinent details in the order:

Masks must be worn by individuals at all times when:

a. In any indoor location that is not a residence;

b. Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not   

    members of their household; or

c. Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, a taxi, a private care service, or a ride

    sharing vehicle. This does not apply to private or rental vehicles where members of a family are sharing a

    vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles engaged in direct travel through a county that does not stop in that

    county.

The requirements do not apply when:

a. The individual is under ten years of age;

b. A medical condition, including those with respiratory conditions that restrict breathing, mental health

    conditions, or disability contraindicates the wearing of a facial covering;

c. The individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or has

    another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;

d. The individual is alone in an enclosed space, such as an office, and which space is not intended for use or

    access by the public;

e. The individual is actively engaged in exercise in a gym or indoor facility so long as six or more feet of

    separation between individuals exists;

f. The individual is actively participating in athletic practice, scrimmage, or competition that is permitted

    under a separate Department of Health order;

g. The individual is actively engaged in a public safety capacity, including but not limited to law enforcement,

    firefighters or emergency medical personnel;

h. The individual is seated and actively consuming food or beverage in a restaurant or bar;

i. Facial coverings are prohibited by law or regulation;

j. Facial coverings are in violation of documented industry standards;

k. Facial coverings are in violation of a business's documented safety policies;

l. Individual is actively participating in broadcast communications; or

m. Individual is an officiant of a religious services.

Enforcement

The purpose of this order is to encourage people to use facemasks when in public – not to issue citations. Science has clearly indicated that mask wearing, combined with physical distancing and sanitization procedures can dramatically reduce the transmission of COVID-19. We are committed to using this order to continue to provide education to our community on the importance of following these best practices. We will look to businesses and the communities we serve to partner with us to help educate and encourage compliance. Please do not engage with angry citizens. If there is non-compliance, combined with belligerent or threatening behavior, contact local law enforcement. Complaints about violations of this order can be filed on our website at: www.hcph.org.

Healthy choices. Healthy lives. Healthy communities.

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/publicorders/Directors-Order-Facial-Coverings.pdf