Consumer, retail and services businesses get the green light today to reopen under Gov. Mike DeWine’s continuing Responsible RestartOhio plan.

Massage, piercing and tattoo businesses will reopen Friday, May 15, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.

To be expected, some business owner/operators are happy and excited to reopen. Some are wary about what the future holds.

The same can be said for consumers, some of whom are happy to make their way back to retail stores.

Still not settled is the governor’s decision on daycare facilities. Monday, he said he needed more time and more information.

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DeWine did announce that Jobs Ohio and Ohio Commerce are implementing a liquor rebate program that will offer a one-time rebate to bars and restaurants to defray the cost of restocking liquor.

Friday, restaurants, salons, and other personal services businesses will reopen.

The governor, at his media briefing Tuesday afternoon on the state’s response to the virus, also made the following announcement:

• The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (OJFS) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its Pandemic EBT plan, which was included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. The approval will allow OJFS to distribute SNAP benefits to 850,000 students across Ohio who relied on free or reduced-price meal programs when school was in session. The benefits will be mailed directly to students. Families need not apply to be eligible. Families will receive approximately $300 to buy healthy and nutritious foods for their children. These benefits amount to more than $250 million that will go to grocery stores and other eligible retailers.

Public Health -- Dayton & Montgomery County held a briefing Tuesday afternoon.

Here are the highlights:

• Health Commissioner Jeff Cooper said now that retailers and restaurants are reopening, this is not the time to browse or spend many hours in a retailer. Consumers should be able to notice right away whether a retailer or business is following rules on social distancing, cleaning and mass gathering. Support and visit those businesses where it is obvious they are taking seriously the responsibilities to protect citizens and employees, he said. PHDMC will be visible in the community soon, visiting restaurants, eateries and businesses to ensure they are following the rules and keeping everyone safe.
• The city of Dayton will not approve permits for outdoor seating at restaurants or eateries because the data on the coronavirus show the scope of testing is not in place, Mayor Nan Whaley said. “You will not see me and my husband out at restaurants” because of the testing issue. The lack of testing is driving the city’s decision to not approve permits for additional outdoor seating, she said, noting she has seen other cities (such as Cincinnati) do that, but “we cannot in good conscience encourage people to do that.” The city is continuing to encourage takeout, for now, and will revisit the policy on outdoor seating in June. “I know the city of Dayton can hang on a little while longer,” the mayor said, noting several restaurant owners have contacted her to report they are struggling with the decision to reopen.

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LATEST STATE DATA: As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 25,250 cases in the state, 1,436 deaths, and 4,539 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Ohio has an estimated population of approximately 11.7 million, census records show.

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Of the state’s positive cases, 19.5% are from Ohio’s prisons. At those prisons, there has been an increase in testing.

[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]

There have been 216,290 people tested for coronavirus in Ohio. In the state, 3,947 cases are health care workers, which is 16 percent of the cases.

It is important to note the number of confirmed cases is not a true reflection of actual cases in the state because of the limited amount of testing available. The hope is that the number of cases will be more accurate because of the expansion of the testing standards.

The Stay-Safe-Ohio order will be superseded as new developments occur during the month, so the governor is warning everyone not to wed themselves to May 29, when the order is to expire.

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• Coronavirus Updates: The latest news from across the nation, the world

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