Small business leaders throughout the state are telling a House panel looking at how to lift Ohio’s Stay Home order they need to allow businesses to open now. Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles has details.
Cincinnati-area diner owner Dail Hipsley tells lawmakers on the panel he’s lost 90% of business at his two restaurants since he had to close them to dine-in guests. He says he feels there’s no reason businesses like his cannot open if they pay attention to safe distancing and disinfecting surfaces.
“Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have done a masterful job of scaring the dickens out of people. As we consider reopening, it’s time for the tone and manner of our leaders to be a balance of encouragement tempered with prudence. The conveyance of abject fear needs to stop.”
DeWine says he wants businesses to reopen as soon as possible. He says there’s a plan in the works, and that there must be some changes to protect customers and employees so coronavirus cases won’t surge out of control.
