Governor Mike DeWine says if Ohio's current COVID-19 case trend and hospitalizations continues, restaurants, bars and fitness centers could be forced to close again.
Wednesday's data shows the state experienced 5,874 new COVID-19 cases, which while high, is down from Tuesday's single-day high of 6,508 new cases.
There are also more than 3,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and more than 700 in ICU.
During Wednesday's statewide address update on COVID-19, DeWine said; "We are reissuing Ohio’s mask order with three new provisions."
"The first violation of this order will bring about a written warning and a second violation will bring about closure of the store for up to 24 hours."
"I am very well aware of the burden this will place on employees and the owners," DeWine said. "But, these are places where it is difficult or impossible to maintain mask-wearing, which we know now is the chief way of slowing this virus."
DeWine said the state will re-assess the trends Thursday, November 19th.