Photograph of Gas Station During Ohio’s Stay at Home Order of 2020

This photograph shows the United Dairy Farmers gas station and convenience store at the intersection of Highway 161 and Linworth Road on April 16, 2020. The parking lot and fueling stations are almost entirely empty, and the price of gasoline, visible in the photo, is much lower than average prices prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for gasoline and the price of crude oil both plummeted in the early days of the pandemic, due to stay-at-home orders and the larger economic downtown triggered by pandemic fears.

Worthington’s normally busy streets and public places were quiet during the spring of 2020 due to Ohio’s historic stay at home order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Issued by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton M.D. MPH, the order went into effect on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The order closed nonessential businesses, restricted gatherings, ordered all residents to stay in their homes except for certain exempt activities, and limited travel. The order was fully lifted on May 19, replaced by strong recommendations for social distancing.