Oregon will reopen by Wednesday
By Terry Murry on Friday, June 25th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Gov. Kate Brown has announced that all remaining COVID-19 health and safety restrictions issued under Oregon’s emergency statutes will be lifted either when the state achieves a 70 percent vaccination rate or on Wednesday, June 30, whichever comes first.
She said that the state will then shift its focus to helping citizens and communities recover from the impacts of the pandemic. The governor’s order rescinds the county risk level system, restrictions on businesses and other sectors for distancing, capacity limits, closing times and more. It also rescinds the orders for non-urgent healthcare procedures, K-12 schools, higher education, and childcare facilities.
Some statewide mask requirements may stay in place. Those would follow federal guidance including airports, public transit, and healthcare settings.
The end of the governor’s order for K-12 schools, higher education, and childcare will mean a shift to a more traditional local decision-making model for communities serving the health and safety needs of students and children.
In order to ensure a return to full-time, in-person instruction in the fall, the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority will be issuing updated advisory guidance for the coming school year. Schools will still be expected to comply with long-standing regulations around the control of infectious diseases. They will also have to have a communicable disease management plan.
The governor signed the executive order today (Friday) at a news conference with Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen, state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger and Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill.
