OHIO — MetroHealth announced Thursday all employees who didn't get the COVID-19 vaccine will need to be tested weekly for the virus starting in July.

“Employees are encouraged to get vaccinated since the vaccines have proven to be safe, effective and our best hope to returning to normal,” MetroHealth said in a statement. 

The policy change comes a day after Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday most health orders will be lifted in the state on June 2, including the mask mandate. Restrictions will remain in place for nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. 

"For a year, Ohioans have made sacrifices to save lives and keep our state moving forward. Now we have a powerful weapon that is almost 100% effective in defeating this virus," DeWine said.

As of Thursday, about 72% of 7,800 MetroHealth employees have received the first dose. Nearly 70% are fully vaccinated, according to the health system.

The state's vaccination pace has fallen by about 70%, according to data from the Ohio Department of Health. Around 36% of Ohioans are completely vaccinated and almost 42% have received the first shot. 

DeWine gave state providers the green light to begin vaccinating children 12-15 with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with parent permission Wednesday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the vaccine emergency use authorization for the age group Monday, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended it Wednesday.