Photograph of The Shops At Worthington Place during Ohio's Stay At Home Order of 2020

This photograph shows a mostly-empty section of parking lot in front of The Shops At Worthington Place on March 20, 2020, around lunchtime. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered restaurants and bars to close to in-person dining beginning on March 15, 2020 and lasting until May 15, 2020.

In addition to the closures of schools, gyms, restaurants and more, 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.