Ohio Campgrounds Can Now Reopen, New Safety Regulations In Place

COLUMBUS, OH — Campgrounds around Ohio can now welcome visitors, thanks to a new health order allowing the grounds to reopen. All campgrounds will have to follow health and safety regulations to protect visitors from the new coronavirus.

Social distancing is the key safety regulation for all reopening businesses, including campgrounds. Staffers and visitors must be separated by at least 6 feet at all times. Campground employees will also have to wear masks at all times, unless they have a documented reason for not donning a face covering.

Information should be posted around the campground about COVID-19. Signs should include messages about staying home when sick, maintaining social distancing, not gathering in groups, wearing a mask when possible and more.

Campgrounds also need to maintain public restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. That means ensuring toilets are functioning, cleaning those facilities in the morning and evening and again during peak usage times, maintaining hand washing supplies, limiting the number of users allowed in at one time and providing hand sanitizer if water is not available.

Nonessential campground amenities, like pools, pavilions and splash pads, should be closed. Snack bars and restaurants will need to follow current health and safety guidelines and ensure social distancing if people are waiting in line.

Campers should not gather in groups and families visiting a campground should avoid other campers.

Where possible, and sanitizers and sanitizing products should be readily available to employees and customers at campgrounds, and campgrounds should share online if a certain facility is closed or open.

The campground order will remain in place until at least July 1.

Gov. Mike DeWine loosened the state's orders on COVID-19 this week. He urged Ohioans to continue following health and safety guidelines.

"What this comes down to now is that each of us has a responsibility to each other to slow the spread. No other time in our lives will our individual actions play a greater role in saving lives," DeWine said.