Governor Kate Brown shared new details of her framework for rebuilding a safe and strong Oregon, including new guidance for counties and businesses on a phased reopening process. Governor Brown emphasized that by taking steps gradually and carefully, and following science and data, Oregon can begin to reopen safely.
The new guidance on reopening calls for the widespread use of face coverings, maintaining physical distance of six feet between individuals as much as possible, and following good hygiene and disinfection practices.
The Governor also announced that large gatherings such as conventions, festivals, and major concerts and live audience sporting events will need to be cancelled at least through September. Restarting events of this size will require a reliable treatment or prevention, like a vaccine, which is many months off. Further guidance on large events will be provided in the coming months.
Next week, updated safety guidelines regarding transit, certain childcare, summer school, and summer camps and youth programs will be issued.
Oregon will use a careful, step-by-step process to safely reopen our state based on clear public health criteria and signs our health care system is able to respond to a spike in new infections. Some counties will be eligible to begin limited reopening of additional business sectors as early as May 15 if they demonstrate they have met all requirements for reopening. These requirements include:
- See fewer Oregonians getting sick from COVID-19 or have fewer than 5 hospitalizations
- Have sufficient COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capability
- Establish plans for supporting the isolation and quarantine of people who are sick from COVID-19
- Have the hospital capacity to handle any surge in COVID-19 cases
- Have enough safety equipment for health care workers
You can read more about the Three Health Signs We Must See to Reopen Oregon