No shoes, no getting into Ohio Statehouse

COLUMBUS (AP) — Officials at the Ohio Statehouse have ordered a cover-up — on bare feet.

A new rule approved Thursday by the state Capitol building’s overseers says all visitors must be wearing “shoes or comparable footwear.”

The policy follows attempts to visit the Statehouse by a barefoot activist who has said going shoeless is a healthy lifestyle. Bob Neinast of the Columbus suburb of Pickerington says his feet hurt when he wears shoes, so he goes barefoot nearly everywhere, even in winter.

Statehouse spokesman Gregg Dodd tells The Columbus Dispatch the new footwear requirement was prompted by concerns about public safety.

Officials have said floors in the building are cracked or uneven and could hurt bare feet.

The policy must be approved by a legislative panel.