Gov. Mike DeWine Thursday announced he would close all schools at the end of the day Monday through Friday, April 3.

“We thought long and hard about that and we understand the sacrifice this is going to entail but this is the best medical advice we can get from people who study viruses,” DeWine said.

The closures do not include child care facilities.

Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton signed an order banning gatherings of more than 100 people, the governor said. The ban does not include grocery stores, forms of transit, athletics events that exclude spectators, weddings, funerals or religious gatherings, DeWine said.

Local cancelations

• The annual Chili Cook-Off set for this Saturday, at Seniors on Center, has been postponed until October. The decision to call off the Cook-Off was made due to the strong recommendation of the Morrow County Health Department and Emergency Services Director.

• Trinity United Methodist Church has canceled the Community Dinner on March 18. The next dinner is April 18.

• The Morrow County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have canceled the Lunch & Learn program scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at Handlebar Ranch.

• Marion Technical College will move all on-campus classes to remote instruction beginning Friday, March 13, through Friday, April 10. College Credit Plus classes offered at high school partner sites will continue as scheduled. Remote instruction may include online, phone conference, or through distance education; the manner for instruction will be dependent on individual class objectives and will be shared with students by their respective faculty members.

MTC will remain open with limited staff to maintain essential day-to-day operations, with additional staff working from home during this time. The college will be closed for spring break between March 23 and 27.

Jail changes

Effective immediately, and until further notice, the procedure for incoming inmates and visitors to the Morrow County Jail will contain additional screening measures.

In person visits and jail programs will also be temporarily suspended. The jail facility is a closed environment and the introduction of infected persons could severely impact operations. Both those incarcerated and those who watch over them are at risk for airborne infections.

Jail staff is using information provided by the Morrow County Health Department and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to coordinate best practice procedures.

A link has been provided to sign up for video visitation so that you may still visit with an inmate. For details visit www.icsolutions.com

Staff Report

Organizations wishing to let the public know of an event or program being canceled should email the information to [email protected].