COLUMBUS, OH - Consumer, retail and service businesses can reopen to the public, today in the buckeye state. It marks the next step in the state’s ResponsibleRestartOhio campaign, designed to jump-start Ohio back into action after COVID-19 closed much of the state down in mid-March.

While retail, consumer and services opens today, other so-called “hands-on” services, such as barber shops, hair and nail salons and tattoo parlors, will reopen Friday. That same day, Ohio restaurants will be allowed to reopen for outdoor dining. Dine-in service will begin about a week later.

Restaurants opened in Indiana on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is holding off on announcing when the rest of the state’s child care centers can reopen, saying that it’s essential to get the details right.

Only a limited number of child care centers are currently allowed to be open in Ohio.

Governor DeWine said there is an advisory group working to determine best practices for reopening all child care facilities. DeWine also said, “It is very important that we get this right. We don't want to announce a date until we have the protocols in place”. He said his team is focusing on the safety of the kids.