COVID-19 restrictions are easing as people continue to get vaccinated more than a year after lockdowns due to the pandemic.
Ohio has announced that it will end its mask mandate next month, joining others across the country, including nearby Indiana.
Here's where local states stand on COVID-19 mandates and restrictions:
Ohio
Ohio will lift the state mask mandate and all remaining coronavirus health orders except those for nursing homes and assisted living facilities on June 2, Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday evening.
DeWine said his decision to lift orders follows four weeks of declining coronavirus infections and hospitalizations and the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children age 12 to 15. It also comes amid increased pressure from fellow Republicans in the Legislature.
“The vaccine is here. It's stronger and better than medical experts ever imagined,” DeWine said during a speech. “Everyone can now control their own health. Everyone can now control their own destiny.”
DeWine said schools and businesses will be able to set their own requirements, including for masking and distancing, after the state orders expire.
More:Ohio will lift mask mandate, all COVID-19 health orders June 2
Kentucky
Restrictions have been slower to lift in Kentucky.
Starting on May 28, Kentucky bars and restaurants will no longer need to abide by a curfew and bar seating will be allowed, Gov. Andy Beshear said.
In August, Beshear set a 10 p.m. last call curfew and closing time of 11 p.m. On Sept.15, that curfew was moved to 11 p.m. with a closing time of midnight. In March, he announced a last call curfew of midnight and a closing time of 1 a.m.
Also on May 28, capacity on events with 1,000 or fewer people is increasing to 75% and 60% for more than 1,000.
The state still has a mask mandate in place, which means Kentuckians need to wear a face-covering while indoors at public facilities and outdoors when in crowds of more than 1,000.
More:Kentucky will lift some coronavirus restrictions on bars and restaurants. Here's when
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Indiana
Indiana's mask mandate and restrictions on business customer capacity ended April 6.
Masks are still recommended. Face coverings remain mandatory in all state buildings and all vaccination and COVID-19 testing sites. K-12 schools are still expected to follow the mask requirements already in place.
Local health departments and businesses are allowed to impose more stringent requirements.
In Indianapolis and Marion County, restrictions are still in place after state legislators voted to void all local coronavirus restrictions.
The new legislation, Senate Bill 5, requires local health departments to get approval from the local legislative bodies and mayors if a city seeks to enact health orders that are more strict than statewide restrictions.
City-county councilors voted 19-5 to approve all existing health orders for this year.
More:Indianapolis keeps mask mandate, business health restrictions despite new legislation
The IndyStar and Courier-Journal contributed to this article.
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