“What a joke,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said Monday in response to Ohio’s crackdown on wedding activities via a range of new, inconsistent coronavirus restrictions.
Last Wednesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) fired a warning shot against the threat of wedding receptions in Ohio, issuing a statement blaming them for “the rampant spread of the virus.” Gov. DeWine promised to issue “significant new restrictions on these activities”:
“Ohio’s April order that limits public events and private gatherings of more than 10 people is still in effect, however, there has been rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions, and social gatherings following funerals.
“To address the tragedies that have resulted from such events, the Ohio Department of Health will issue an order that will place significant new restrictions on these social activities. Specifically, open congregate areas will no longer be permitted to open, and everyone will be required to be seated and masked unless they are actively consuming food or drinks.”
On Sunday, Gov. DeWine published new coronavirus restrictions on activities such as wedding receptions decreed by the Ohio Department of Health. The order prohibits dancing, but allows the married couple to indulge in a “first dance.” Up to 10 guests may sit at a single table – but, they must all be from the same household.
The order spells out the following five specific restrictions:
“In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 through airborne particles passing between people during close contact, wedding receptions, funeral repasts and other events at banquet facilities are subject to the following restrictions:
a. No socializing or activities in open congregate areas and no dancing;
b. Guests must be seated at all times. Traditional wedding reception events such as first dance, toasts and cutting the cake are permitted;
c. If serving food and beverages, guests must be served in their seats. No self-serve buffets permitted and no self-serve bar areas:
d. Masks must be worn at all times unless actively consuming food or beverages; and
e. No more than 10 people seated at a table, and those individuals must be from the same household.
On Monday, Rep. Jordan took to Twitter to mock the absurd inconsistencies of the new restrictions on wedding activities:
Want to get married in Ohio? Here are the new rules:
-You can drive your friends to the wedding, but don’t sit with them at the reception.
-You can throw the bouquet, but don’t leave your seat to catch it.
-You can have a drink while sitting, but not standing. What a joke.