All individuals in Ohio have been ordered to stay home except as necessary to engage in essential activities, and all non-essential businesses and operations have been ordered to cease, beginning at 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2020, under the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Stay at Home Order issued on March 22, 2020.

The Stay at Home Order applies to all “for-profit, non-profit, or educational entities,” but allows essential governmental functions and essential businesses and operations to continue. Accordingly, school boards and other governmental entities may continue to provide any services that are necessary either “to ensure the[ir] continuing operation” or “to provide for or support the health, safety and welfare of the public.” School boards and other public employers must now determine their essential governmental functions and identify employees and/or contractors necessary to perform them.

All K-12 school buildings remain closed to students but not to administrators, teachers, staff, vendors, or contractors, whose appropriate level of access is determined by school administration, per the March 14, 2020 Director’s Order. The Stay at Home Order is meant to be consistent with, and not to amend or supersede, the March 14, 2020 Order.