Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association – COVID-19 Update
The U.S. Centers for disease control issued new guidelines regarding masks under the title “When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated – How to Protect Yourself and Others.” The updated guidance states:
To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
What does this guidance mean for lodging operations in the state of Ohio?
– The CDC guideline is not a requirement. There are currently no state or local orders in Ohio to require the use of masks as suggested by this new recommendation.
– Venues, events, groups or organizations which voluntary follow CDC guidelines may require masks, which is within their rights.
– It is very unlikely the State of Ohio would issue new mask orders, and some local officials have stated that recently-enacted state legislation may limit their ability to do so.
– Only 23 of Ohio’s 88 counties currently fall in the substantial or high transmission categories. Other counties would not be covered by the new guidelines.
What areas in Ohio are “substantial or high risk of transmission?”
The new CDC mask guidelines are related to a designation of the level of transmission experienced locally. Ohio has 23 counties (out of a total of 88) designated as high or substantial levels of transmission as of July 28th, 2021.
Designations will change depending on reported COVID-19 cases. You can view the CDC map with information for every county in the United States here.
The impact of the CDC announcement will be felt in coming days as individual travelers, groups, businesses and others factor it into their decisions. OHLA will continue to monitor impacts and will share additional developments as soon as they happen. For more information, email info@ohla.org.
