MEDIA STATEMENT

COLUMBUS, OH (November 12, 2020) – Below is a media statement from John Barker, president and
CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association:

“Ohio’s restaurant and foodservice operators take seriously the industry’s commitment to
health and safety.

“Like everyone, we are concerned about the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and are committed
to controlling the rising numbers. We are also deeply concerned for the 58% of Ohio restaurants
that have indicated they may close their doors permanently if they continue operating at
current capacity. Another shutdown of indoor dining would significantly increase the number of
restaurants that would be forced to close their doors.

“Implementing rigorous health and safety measures has always been at the core of what we do
as businesses. Many of our members have made significant investments over the past several
months to provide additional precautions, including requiring masks (prior to mandates),
installing plexiglass barriers, adding hand sanitizer stations and contactless payment options,
among others. We believe that indoor dining, when done with these provisions in place, with
guests seated, and through following the guidance of public health officials, can be done safely.

“It is our responsibility to provide solutions to help restaurants keep their doors open. And key
to that is the Ohio Restaurant Promise, which hundreds of Ohio restaurant operators have
signed. The pledge makes health and safety the highest priority – both for restaurant employees
and their customers. It also asks guests to help keep everyone safe by following social distancing
and sanitary guidelines. We are accountable for doing the right thing.

“The restaurant industry has always been heavily regulated and safety provisions have been
escalated since the pandemic began. The problem is the rise in cases have continuously been
linked to unregulated events and gathering, as identified by Governor Mike DeWine.

“Any discussion of another restaurant closure is inconsistent with any science or contact tracing
data that we have been provided, which continues to detail that the greatest risk of
transmission, is occurring in unregulated private gatherings. Further restrictions would be
devastating to an industry that employs 585,000 Ohioans at more than 23,000 locations, and is
troubling, considering the extensive steps the industry has taken to effectively abide by orders,
requirements and recommendations. Additionally, local communities would suffer
consequences if restaurant locations are forced to close or lessen their hours and capacity
significantly. Ohio’s cities and towns would be deeply affected economically, and local health
care systems would continue to be overwhelmed because of unregulated, private gatherings.
 “The trust and confidence of restaurant employees and customers remains our focus, and the
Ohio restaurant and foodservice community will do what is needed to maintain it and remain
open.”
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About Ohio Restaurant Association:

For 100 years, the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) has proudly served Ohio's restaurant and
foodservice industry, with their members always being their number one priority. Founded on thought
leadership and focused on finding sound business solutions for their members, the ORA offers advocacy
and education, events and programs. For more information, visit ohiorestaurant.org.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ohio Restaurant Association
Homa Moheimani
hmoheimani@ohiorestaurant.org
614.315.0572