COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday that Department of Health Interim Director Lance Himes will sign a reopening order for performance theaters and sports venues "in the near future."
Though details are still being worked out, DeWine's office released the proposed guidelines before their signing to afford venues ample time to plan events.
That order will mandate an indoor venue attendance cap at less than 15% of fixed seating capacity or 300 people, according to the governor's office.
Directors, actors, crew members, musicians and other staff will be required to check their symptoms daily, maintain a minimum of six feet apart and wear masks when not rehearsing, performing or holding auditions.
Additionally, performing arts venues will be required to enforce face covering policies during performances and keep attendants at least six feet apart.
Outdoor venue attendance will also be capped at less than 15% of fixed seating capacity or no more than 1,500 people.
In addition to requiring masks and physical distancing, sports venues will have to develop "spectator pathways" that allow for social distancing as visitors move from parking, through box office lines, ticket scanning and security screening, and to their seats. That includes one-way entry, exits and aisles and proper signage.
The new guidelines in the coming order will be the same as on spectators at sports venues in the Director’s Order that Provides Mandatory Requirements for Youth, Collegiate, Amateur, Club and Professional Sports.
