MICHELLE BRIZES
COURT OF CLAIMS DEFENSE
(614)466-7667

April 10, 2020
Ann Aber
VP, General Counsel & Secretary
JOANN
Via Email – ann.aber@joann.com
Re:

Complaint of Violation of Ohio Department of Health’s COVID-19 Order

Dear Ann,
Thank you for JOANN’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 by implementing policies to
protect its customers and employees. The Ohio Attorney General appreciates JOANN’s
willingness to adopt practices in compliance with Ohio Department of Health social distancing
guidelines, including, but not limited to:
:
• Limiting the number of customers to one customer per 1000 square feet.
• Providing mask making kits free of charge and gloves to all employees.
• Making hand sanitizer readily available to employees and customers.
• Installing social distancing signage throughout each store.
• Sanitizing of surfaces after each customer interaction.
• Removing seasonal and non-essential merchandise.
• Marketing online and curbside pickup.
Based on these and other measures, the Ohio Attorney General does not believe JOANN is in
violation of Ohio Department of Health (ODOH) guidelines currently. Accordingly, we will not
be pursuing legal action on behalf of ODOH at this time.
The Ohio Attorney General asks that JOANN continue to follow ODOH guidelines as we navigate
this unprecedented health crisis. If you have additional questions about these requirements,
please see the Health Department’s answers to frequently asked questions, available here:
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/families-and-individuals/stay-athome-information/stay-at-home-order-frequently-asked-questions
Guidelines on social
distancing and other things you can do to reduce the COVID-19 risk to your personnel are
available
here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidancebusiness-response.html and here: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf.
Sincerely,

Michelle Brizes

Assistant Attorney General
30 East Broad Street, 17th Floor   Columbus, Ohio   43215
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov