Schools Can Apply for Sports Event Variance; Husted Calls for Internships

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Regarding the recently issued order for mandatory requirements for sport events, Gov. Mike DeWine says schools can apply for a variance to request a higher spectator limit.

Under the current order, spectators for outdoor events are limited to the lesser of 1,500 individuals or 15% of fixed, seated capacity. For indoors sports, that limit is the lesser of 300 individuals or 15% of fixed, seated capacity.

“The main purpose of permitting spectators at school sports events is for officials and loved ones of players, coaches, team staff members, other event participants to attend,” DeWine said during Tuesday’s coronavirus briefing. “Ideally, the spectator limit would enable at least two, and perhaps up to four, family members to attend a sports event, provided that the venue is large enough to allow at least six feet of social distancing between groups.”

However, if a venue has more room to permit additional spectators while maintaining social distancing requirement, a variance provision in the order allows schools to request a higher spectator limit. Schools must submit a plan in writing to their local health department and the Ohio Department of Health justifying the increased capacity and how social distancing will be maintained.

Enforcement of social distancing requirements is up to the home school, DeWine said.

Through the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Diversity & Inclusion Technology Internship Program, there are 200 scholarships available for students to receive training in tech schools, said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.

The challenge, he said, is there are just 26 companies providing internships.

“We need employers to offer up those internships. The application period is open right now,” he said. Business can apply through Sept. 8.

Through the program, the state pays two-thirds of an intern’s wages. Students can apply for scholarships through Sept. 22.

Economically, things continue to improve in the state, which recently posted an unemployment rate of 8.9%, down from a peak of 13.9% in May.

“We’re on the road to recovery, economically speaking,” Husted said. “We’ve got to keep the momentum going.”

He encouraged Ohioans looking for work to find jobs at OhioMeansJobs.com, which has more than 169,000 jobs available, nearly 80,000 of which have an annual salary of more than $50,000. The site also has more than 1,800 internships listed.

Photo by Dave Adamson on Unsplash

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