Ohio restaurants began carefully reopening outdoor patios Friday, the next step toward resuming normal business operations under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s state reopening plan.
DeWine has said that 90% of the state’s economy will be back online this weekend with Ohioans having returned to offices, factories, construction jobs and retail stores, and now outdoor eating. In-person dining can resume on May 21.
The Ohio Restaurant Association says four in 10 Ohio restaurants closed during the pandemic and 3% won't reopen. Nearly half of Ohio restaurants experienced economic losses of more than 70%.