Ohio Lifts Social Distancing Mandate, Now Just a Recommendation

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine—praised nationally for his early and stringent social-distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic—is lifting the rules he imposed on the public.

“Unnecessary” travel, six feet of distancing, and other mandates are all now “strong recommendations,” he said during a Tuesday news conference in Columbus. Orders regarding social distancing in businesses and restaurants will still apply, as well as a ban on “mass gatherings,” which DeWine (R) declined to define.

“Ohioans have demonstrated in the last two months that they will use their common sense, that they will do what needs to be done,” DeWine said. “Our economic ...