Ohio golf courses not exempt from stay-at-home order
While Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has encouraged citizens to remain physically active despite the state being under a stay-at-home order, one popular pastime appears to be out for now.
On Wednesday, the Clark County Combined Health District determined golf courses are non-essential businesses, meaning they must close through April 6.
“The first question we ask when we are considering these decisions is, ‘Is this business essential to Clark County, Ohio or the United States to continue operat- ing and providing necessary resources for people?’” Emma Smales, public infor- mation officer for the district, said in an email.
“There will be a few exceptions, but golf courses are not one of them,” she con- tinued.
“The spirit of the order is to stay home. We are enforcing the order with that in mind.”
Additionally, Ohio Department of Health chief of staff Lance Himes confirmed to local health departments on a conference call Thursday golf courses are non-essential businesses with no exemption.
In response to an inquiry to ODH, public information specialist Rachel Feeley wrote in an email, “We cannot directly interpret the order for others,” and cited a passage from the act signed by ODH Director Amy Acton:
“All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including, but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, playgrounds, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, and country clubs or social clubs shall be closed.”