LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: banquets

  • Hamilton County reports new developments in the battle against COVID-19

    Hamilton County reports new developments in the battle against COVID-19

    Loveland, Ohio – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the Hamilton County Department of Health. The EUA allows the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. The vaccine is administered as a single dose, which will allow vaccination for more people while also providing opportunities for vaccination for groups requiring special consideration, such as the homebound.

    Expanded Vaccine Eligibility
    In response to this significant increase in the amount of vaccine coming into Ohio, Governor DeWine outlined the individuals who are included in Phase 1C and Phase 2 of Ohio’s vaccination plan which will go into effect on March 4.

    Phase 1C:
    Ohioans with certain occupations and with certain medical conditions not addressed in previous phases.

    Medical Groups Eligible in 1C
    Type 1 diabetes, Pregnant women, Bone marrow transplant recipients, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

    Occupations Eligible in 1C (see full description in the graphic below)
    Childcare Services, Funeral Services, Law Enforcement, and Corrections Officers
    Follow the hyperlink to read the full press release from the Ohio Department of Health on the expanded vaccine eligibility criteria

    Phase 2:
    Because the risk of more severe reactions and outcomes of COVID-19 increase with age, Phase 2 will open vaccinations based on age, beginning with Ohioans ages 60 and older.

    IF YOU ARE NEWLY ELIGIBLE PER THE EXPANDED GUIDELINES ABOVE:
    The Health Department is asking that you register on their website. They have added these occupations and conditions to the registration that were not previously included.

    Click HERE to re-register*

    If you already registered and do not have a newly eligible occupation or condition per the above you DO NOT need to re-register.*

    Reduced Restrictions
    Last week, Governor Mike DeWine announced that sporting and entertainment events will be able to reopen with 25 percent maximum indoor capacity and 30 percent maximum outdoor capacity, provided they follow established precautions such as mandatory mask wearing for employees and customers, spectator pathways that allow for social distancing, and seating in groups in six-foot intervals of no more than six people from the same household.

    General admission (lawns, standing room, infields) will be permitted if masks are worn and if six-foot distancing can be marked and maintained.  New guidance for proms, banquets, wedding receptions, fairs, festivals, and parades is forthcoming.
    *If you are needing a vaccine appointment please do not unsubscribe. Unsubscribing will disable our ability to contact you for appointments.
    VISIT THE HCPH COVID-19 PAGE
  • Read the revised health order to limit mass gatherings in Ohio

    Read the revised health order to limit mass gatherings in Ohio

    Loveland, Ohio – On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio Department of Health Interim Director Lance Himes signed a revised health order to limit mass gatherings in Ohio. 

    “Despite the health order that limited mass gatherings to 10 people that was signed in April remaining in effect, we have seen rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions, and social gatherings following funerals,” said Governor DeWine.  “We have seen great tragedy associated with such events.  It’s not the ceremonies causing the problem.  It’s the party afterward.”  

    In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 through airborne particles passing between people in close contact, wedding receptions, funeral repasts, and other events at banquet facilities are subject to the following restrictions:

    • No socializing or activities in open congregate areas and no dancing. 
    • Guests must be seated at all times. Traditional wedding reception events such as first dance, toasts, tossing the bouquet and cutting the cake are permitted.
    • If serving food and beverages, guests must be served at their seats. No self-serve buffets and no self-serve bar areas permitted.
    • Masks must be worn at all times unless actively consuming food or beverages.
    • No more than 10 people should be seated at a table and those individuals must be from the same household.

    This order does not apply to religious observances; First Amendment protected speech, including petition or referendum circulators, and any activity by media; and to governmental meetings which include meetings that are required to be open to the public.

    This order went into effect November 17, 2020 at 12:01 AM.

  • DeWine announces revised mask and social gathering orders

    DeWine announces revised mask and social gathering orders

    At the end of September, Ohio averaged under 1,000 new cases per day; this week, Ohio hit a record high of more than 6,500 new cases reported in a single 24-hour period.

    At the end of September, Ohio averaged under 1,000 new cases per day; this week, Ohio hit a record high of more than 6,500 new cases reported in a single 24-hour period.

    In a statewide address to Ohioans Wednesday evening, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called on citizens to recommit to their individual efforts to prevent coronavirus spread as Ohio moves through its most intense, widespread, and dangerous surge of cases to date.

    Ohio is currently facing a record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations and intensive care admissions, with nearly 3,000 people in the hospital, including more than 700 people in the ICU.

    During the first week of November alone, 104 Ohioans infected with the coronavirus died.

    To reinforce the necessity of wearing masks and slowing virus spread, Governor DeWine announced two forthcoming orders:

    Revised Mask Order

    DeWine said, “To protect frontline workers and customers, the Ohio Department of Health will reissue Ohio’s mask order and add the following provisions:

    • Each store will be required to post a sign outlining face-covering requirements at all public entrances to the store;
    • Each store will be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks; and
    • A new Retail Compliance Unit, comprised of agents led by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, will inspect to ensure compliance. 
    • A first violation will result in a written warning and a second violation will result in closure of the store for up to 24 hours.

    New Social Gathering Order

    Ohio’s April order that limits public events and private gatherings of more than 10 people is still in effect, however, there has been rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions, and social gatherings following funerals according to DeWine.

    “To address the tragedies that have resulted from such events, the Ohio Department of Health will issue an order that will place significant new restrictions on these social activities,” DeWine said.

    Specifically, open congregate areas will no longer be permitted to open, and everyone will be required to be seated and masked unless they are actively consuming food or drinks.

    Bars, restaurants, and fitness centers may remain open, but this will be reassessed one week from tomorrow for potential closure. 

    “If the current trend continues and cases keep increasing, we will be forced to make these closures,” said DeWine. “I am very well aware of the burden this will place on employees and owners, but these are places where it is difficult or impossible to maintain mask-wearing, which we know now is the chief way of slowing this virus.”

    Concern for healthcare workers

    “With this new wave of COVID-19, the onset of flu season, and an already-exhausted group of healthcare workers, there are serious concerns that there won’t be enough people to fully staff our healthcare facilities in the next few weeks,” said DeWine. “If we don’t change this, Ohio won’t be able to provide appropriate care for COVID patients or for Ohioans who require other emergency care for things like accidents, strokes, and heart attacks. Hospitals will again be forced to postpone important, but less urgent, care.”

    Although testing capacity in Ohio has nearly doubled, the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus has increased almost four times. At the end of September, Ohio averaged under 1,000 new cases per day; this week, Ohio hit a record high of more than 6,500 new cases reported in a single 24-hour period.

    “As we wait for the vaccine, which could come as soon as December, we have so much to protect,” said DeWine. “What each Ohioan does in his or her own life impacts every citizen and every place we desperately want and need to keep open– our schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and businesses.”

    For Governor DeWine’s entire address, visit ohiochannel.org or read his prepared remarks at coronavirus.ohio.gov.