The state is allowing the reopening of larger entertainment venues on June 10, including movie theaters, museums and zoos. Health officials say companies will have to look over every facet of their venue in order to comply with the protocols.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that 15 different types of entertainment venues can open, although they do not include amusement or waterparks, which prompted a lawsuit from Kings Island and Cedar Point.
The latest venues that can open are asked to comply with the guidelines created for consumer and retail services, which includes maintaining six feet between people and cleaning surfaces regularly. Other rules might apply depending on the venue - those that serve food will have to comply with the restaurant guidelines.
The full list of places that can reopen June 10 includes:
- Aquariums
- Art galleries
- Country clubs
- Ice skating rinks
- Indoor family entertainment centers
- Indoor sports facilities
- Laser tag facilities
- Movie theaters (indoor)
- Museums
- Playgrounds (outdoor)
- Public recreation centers
- Roller skating rinks
- Social clubs
- Trampoline parks
- Zoos
"As I’ve said, Ohioans are able to do two things at once. We can continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 while we safely reopen our economy. It is up to each of us to do what we can to keep each other safe and choose to keep six feet of social distance, wear masks, and maintain good hand hygiene," DeWine said in a written statement on Thursday.
"The threat of COVID-19 remains and while it’s our responsibility to keep each other safe, business owners and employees should do their part to ensure customers visit safely, by cleaning and sanitizing surfaces regularly," he continued.
The lawsuit by Kings Island and Cedar Point was filed in Warren County, and is backed by the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, the same libertarian law firm that backed a successful lawsuit against the closure of Ohio gyms.
House Speaker Larry Householder says the Republican who represents Sandusky is trying to avoid legal action.
“He’s trying to find a way to get Cedar Point back opened up and some common sense guidelines in place," Householder says. "Not only is it, obviously, a great amusement attraction here in the state of Ohio, but it provides a tremendous amount of jobs for people in his district. Kings Island goes right along with that, of course."
On a party-line vote, a House committee passed a bill with an amendment to allow Kings Island and Cedar Point, along with water parks, to reopen regardless of public health orders. It still needs approval from the full House, the Senate, and the governor.
The DeWine administration says it’s still working on guidance for amusement and water parks.
