Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced Monday that his state would begin reopening some nonessential businesses as the state relaxes coronavirus-related restrictions in the coming weeks.

Cleveland.com reported that DeWine announced a multistage plan at his press conference Monday on the state's coronavirus efforts, with the first restrictions to relax being those on the health care industry.

Hospitals and health centers in the state will be allowed to resume elective surgeries and other procedures that do not require an overnight stay beginning Friday, ending a suspension that was implemented to ensure that hospitals had adequate resources to prepare for an influx of coronavirus patients.

ADVERTISEMENT

Construction sites and manufacturing centers will be allowed to reopen next week under DeWine's plan, according to Cleveland.com, provided that employees undergo daily screenings for the virus and follow social distancing procedures.

Office work will resume the following week, and some retail stores will open seven days after that. Under DeWine's plan, businesses considered to be a high risk of spreading the virus including bars, restaurants and hair salons will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

“These are ultimately enforced by the local health departments,” DeWine said, according to the website. “There’s going to be, I think, community pressure to make sure that people provide a safe place - first with manufacturing, then a few days later when we get to the point of retail."

“In reality, it is a common-sense approach in how you deal with a situation that is a dangerous situation,” he reportedly added.

The governor did not specifically say that the state's stay-at-home order would be lifted, but the reopening of stores including retail outlets would likely mean that such an order would no longer be enforced. DeWine's order is set to expire on May 1.