Gov. Mike DeWine today lifted all health orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, except those for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, effective June 2.

“This will give anyone not vaccinated time to get the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the first dose of Pfizer or Moderna and be well on the way to immunity,” he said during a special address to the state.

DeWine had said two months ago that he would lift health orders if cases were below 50 per 100,000 state residents. It is currently at 123 cases per 100,000 people. He didn’t say why he changed his mind.

While the number of people getting vaccinated in the state has sharply declined in the past months, DeWine instead urged Ohioans to get the inoculation.

For more, read Thursday’s print and online editions.