CLEVELAND, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine said Friday that he would consider a mass shutdown of businesses in the state if employers do not take the proper precautions to protect employees from coronavirus.

It’s a drastic move that has been applied in other states – one that DeWine said he was trying his hardest to avoid as he balances keeping the economy going with ensuring the safety and health of Ohioans. However, DeWine said his office continues to receive texts and emails about businesses ​that are not taking the proper precautions, which could force his hand to shut down businesses statewide.

“This simply must stop. I implore you, please, do what is right,” DeWine said. “As I continue to balance my responsibility to the people of the state of Ohio, the responsibility, when I took an oath of office to do the essential thing government does, which is to protect the people. As I balance that with our attempt to keep this economy moving, let me make it very, very clear, that I will err on the side of protecting people.”

The aggressive announcement came the same day Ohio confirmed its first death from coronavirus – a Toledo attorney whom DeWine said he and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted considered a friend – as the number of cases climbed to 169.

So far, DeWine and health officials have decided against mass business closures across the state, with the exception of restaurants and bars, ​salons, barbershops and some others. At no time had they ruled out the option, though.

“No announcement today,” DeWine said. “But the bad behavior, the reckless behavior, must stop. And I congratulate all those who are out there making a difference every day, businesses who are mindful of what they need to do to protect their employees. Evidence shows when businesses do this and are very, very aggressive, they can protect their employees. I would ask, please, do that.”

DeWine said call centers were among the list of businesses he’s received complaints about, though they included a “wide range of different types of businesses.”

DeWine made several recommendations – now, more appropriately viewed as orders – for businesses to take extra care and pay attention to best practices: physical distancing, sanitary conditions and monitoring employees’ health.

Earlier this week, he asked businesses to take workers’ temperatures. Fever is one symptom of the coronavirus.

“I think people can imagine what that next step would be,” DeWine said. “I’ve not hesitated in the past to close businesses and other operations if they are a threat to the public. The safety of the public has to come first. There’s a way we can do this, but we have to do it. I think I’ve demonstrated that I’m going to put the safety of the people first.”

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