Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther issued an Executive Order that requires everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a facial covering inside indoor public settings. The order is a result of increasing COVID-19 infection rates across Ohio and concerns about hospital overcrowding.
The order requires facial coverings to be worn in public settings such as barbershops, grocery stores, restaurants, and movie theaters, among others. However, there are exceptions: You do not have wear a facial covering in state buildings, such as the capitol, federal offices or courthouses, or houses of worship.
The executive order will be enforced by a team of 50 registered environmental health specialists at Columbus Public Health who will track down offenders on a complaint-basis. The order is effective September 10, 2021.