Business & Tech
Ohio Joins Midwest Pact To Reopen Regional Economy
The Buckeye State is now part of a bipartisan coalition dedicated to jump starting the Midwest's economies.
COLUMBUS, OH — This week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joined six other governors in a pact to reopen the economy in the Midwest. The partnership includes Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Kentucky.
"We are doing everything we can to protect the people of our states and slow the spread of COVID-19, and we are eager to work together to mitigate the economic crisis this virus has caused in our region," the governors said in a statement.
DeWine said Thursday Ohio would begin reopening its economy in phases beginning May 1. The current stay-at-home order will expire that day and the governor said portions of the economy will begin coming back online.
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While many of the states have stay-at-home orders, most are set to expire around the first week of May. However, the governors did not release a timetable for the reopening of business in the region. They did say they will closely examine "at least" the following four factors when determining when best to reopen the economy:
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- Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations
- Enhanced ability to test and trace
- Sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence
- Best practices for social distancing in the workplace
"We look forward to working with experts and taking a fact-based, data-driven approach to reopening our economy in a way that protect families from the spread of COVID-19," the group continued.
"Our number one priority when analyzing when best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our citizens. We will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education."
Current "stay home" orders across the Midwest pact:
- Indiana's order ends April 20
- Both the Michigan and Illinois orders end April 30
- Ohio's order ends May 1
- Minnesota's current "stay home" order expires May 4.
- Wisconsin's order ends May 26
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