Worthington Estates Elementary School Playground

This photograph shows an empty playground at Worthington Estates Elementary School on Friday, March 20, 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Mike DeWine issued an order on March 12 closing all schools in Ohio to in-person learning. Initially, there was a possibility that schools would reopen on April 3; however, all schools remained closed through the end of the school year. Worthington students engaged in virtual learning during this time.

In addition to empty schools, 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.