Gov. Mike DeWine rejects a proposal from a Republican lawmaker to cancel the state of emergency order issued in March as the coronavirus pandemic was first beginning.
The from Rep. Diane Grendell (R-Chesterland) would allow businesses and hospitals to return to full capacity and all schools to resume in-person learning with no masks or social distancing required. The bill has seven Republican co-sponsors, including some vocal critics of the state's COVID-19 response.
DeWine said he respects Grendell, but the virus . He says passing a bill claiming there鈥檚 no emergency won鈥檛 help.
鈥淚 certainly do not support that. We have an emergency," DeWine said. "And when we're done with the emergency, we'll be done with emergency. And I can't wait."
DeWine has said he will , and has that would have lowered the fines for violating those orders. However, he a bill that prevents public officials from closing houses of worship or moving election dates.
in federal court to lift the state of emergency.
