Business leaders: DeWine curfew better than other options

COLUMBUS — When Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine began talking last week about a possible shutdown of bars, restaurants and fitness centers, business leaders went to work to talk him out of it.

Ongoing talks between the DeWine administration and the Ohio Restaurant Association produced an alternative plan that may have saved many businesses.

The new option became DeWine’s plan for a 21-day curfew at 10 p.m. for most people who are not headed to work or school, to the grocery store or making an emergency run to pharmacy.

John Barker, President of the Ohio Restaurant Association, said in a written statement that the curfew is “the right step at the right time to enlist all Ohioans in the fight against the spread of coronavirus and the associated strain it puts on our healthcare system.” He had earlier called the potential shutdown of restaurants statewide financially devastating.

Chris Kershner, President of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, said the curfew is better that a shutdown, but it still hurts. “There certainly comes at a cost to some of our businesses,” Kershner said. The order reportedly covers people, not businesses. Many businesses that normally are open past 10 pm may elect to close since people are only supposed to be out for essential services like food, gas and medicine.

Each one of the options before DeWine, Kershner said, are unpopular and have a down side with financial impact on business. “The governor had a tough job that he’s been trying to execute here and has a tough road ahead of him still,” Kershner said.

At his briefing Tuesday DeWine asked for people to comply with the three week curfew. “Twenty-one days, we need to knock this thing down and start seeing things go down,” DeWine said. When asked what might follow the curfew period, DeWine said he’s unsure what steps may come next.

Cox Media Group