From The Oregonian and the Salem Statesman-Journal
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday that she’s loosening many restrictions she had placed just a week ago on bars, restaurants, gyms, stores and religious organizations in order to stem the unprecedented, out-of-control spread of COVID-19
Starting Thursday, Dec. 3, many of Brown’s restrictions will be lifted in Oregon counties that haven’t been as hard hit by the coronavirus – including Lincoln County.
But most of Brown’s restrictions likely will still remain in place Dec. 3 in 21 counties — including Benton, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Columbia, and Deschutes counties. The governor has deemed these counties at “extreme risk” of rampant viral spread.
Public health officials will use COVID-19 numbers for Monday, Nov. 30 to determine which counties fall into the “extreme risk” category and the most aggressive restrictions. Currently, public health officials estimate that will be about 21 of Oregon’s 36 counties.
Other counties will be deemed “high risk,” “moderate risk” and “lower risk” and will have varying degrees of lesser restrictions.
Among the new, lighter restrictions: Outdoor dining will be allowed at bars and restaurants, and large religious institutions will be able to quadruple their indoor gathering sizes.
Brown is easing many public health safety measures despite the worsening COVID-19 crisis in Oregon. The governor has fielded public criticism and been under intense pressure from industry groups — including in the form of a lawsuit — to ease her restrictions ever since she announced them earlier this month. The restrictions are part of a two-week statewide freeze that is in effect Nov. 18 – Dec. 2.
On Nov. 13, the day Brown announced the two-week freeze, new daily cases of the coronavirus were averaging a record-setting 900 per day in Oregon. Wednesday, the coronavirus’ spread had only continued to balloon, with Oregon averaging more than 1,250 cases per a day.
In response to a reporter’s question, Brown said the freeze wasn’t meant for the “long haul.”
“It is not a sustainable place for Oregon to be in,” Brown said. “I’m in the business of frankly saving lives, but also preserving livelihoods. And moving forward with these metrics, what we are trying to do is balance both things.”
Brown also acknowledged that it didn’t seem right to heavily restrict Oregon counties, such as Wallowa County, that haven’t seen many infections relative to the rest of the state.
“A one-size-fits-all approach did not make sense moving forward,” Brown said.
The Institute for Health Metrics at the University of Washington in Seattle projects that at current rates, Oregon could top 3,100 cases per day by Jan. 1 and 6,300 cases by Feb. 1.
Brown’s two-week freeze order was followed by statements from some county sheriffs that they would not enforce the rules. Several local government leaders, particularly in southern and eastern Oregon, voted to either condemn or ignore the rules.
The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association sought a restraining order in federal court against the freeze. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut rejected the request, saying that while she recognizes “the heavy burden” Brown’s order placed on the association’s members, “those burdens are outweighed by the benefits to all Oregonians.”
Although counties will be assigned their risk categories Monday, here is where they stand as of Wednesday:
Extreme Risk category
The following counties are under the ‘extreme risk’ category: Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lane, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Umatilla, Union, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill.
Social and at-home gathering size: Both indoor and outdoor gatherings limited to a maximum of six with a recommended limit of two households.
Eating and drinking establishments: Takeout highly recommended. Outdoor dining, max 50 capacity, 11 p.m. close, max 6 per table, limit 2 households.
Indoor recreation and fitness establishments: The following establishments are prohibited from opening: gyms, fitness organizations, indoor recreational sports, indoor pools, indoor K-12 sports, indoor collegiate sports, indoor personal training and indoor dance.
Indoor entertainment establishments: The following establishments are prohibited from opening: aquariums, indoor theaters, indoor arenas, indoor concert halls, indoor gardens, indoor museums, indoor entertainment activities of any kind, indoor event spaces.
Retail Stores: Max 50% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for the following: Farmers’ markets, grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.
Shopping centers and malls: Max 50% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for both indoor and outdoor malls.
Faith institutions, funeral homes, mortuaries, cemeteries: Indoor max 25% capacity or 100 total (whichever is smaller), 150 outdoor.
Offices: Requires employees to work remotely if able, close offices to the public.
Outdoor recreation and fitness establishments: A maximum of 50 people at the following: outdoor gyms, outdoor fitness organizations, outdoor recreational sports, outdoor pools, outdoor parks and hiking trails, outdoor campsites, outdoor K-12 sports, outdoor collegiate sports, outdoor personal training, outdoor dance.
Outdoor entertainment establishments: A maximum of 50 people at the following: Zoos, outdoor gardens, outdoor aquariums, outdoor theaters, outdoor stadiums, outdoor event spaces, outdoor arenas, outdoor concert halls, outdoor entertainment activities of any kind.
Personal services: Services such as hair styling or cuts, massage or other services are allowed.
Long-term care: Visits are only allowed in outdoor settings.
High Risk
The following counties are under the ‘high risk’ category: Clatsop, Coos, Crook, Lake, Hood River and Josephine.
Social and at-home gathering size: Indoor gatherings limited to a maximum of six with a recommended limit of two households. Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of eight people.
Eating and drinking establishments: Indoor dining available, not to exceed 25% capacity, max 50 person capacity, 11 p.m. close. Outdoor dining available, max capacity 75 people, max 6 per table, limit 2 households.
Indoor recreation and fitness establishments: The following establishments can open with 25% capacity or 50 people total (whichever is smaller): gyms, fitness organizations, indoor recreational sports, indoor pools, indoor K-12 sports, indoor collegiate sports, indoor personal training and indoor dance.
Indoor entertainment establishments: The following establishments can open with 25% capacity or 50 people total (whichever is smaller): aquariums, indoor theaters, indoor arenas, indoor concert halls, indoor gardens, indoor museums, indoor entertainment activities of any kind, indoor event spaces.
Retail Stores: Maximum 50% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for the following: Farmers’ markets, grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.
Shopping centers and malls: Max 50% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for both indoor and outdoor malls.
Faith institutions, funeral homes, mortuaries, cemeteries: Indoor max 25% capacity or 150 total (whichever is smaller), 200 people outdoor.
Offices: Recommend employees switch to remote work if able.
Outdoor recreation and fitness establishments: A maximum of 75 people at the following: outdoor gyms, outdoor fitness organizations, outdoor recreational sports, outdoor pools, outdoor parks and hiking trails, outdoor campsites, outdoor K-12 sports, outdoor collegiate sports, outdoor personal training, outdoor dance.
Outdoor entertainment establishments: A maximum of 75 people at the following: Zoos, outdoor gardens, outdoor aquariums, outdoor theaters, outdoor stadiums, outdoor event spaces, outdoor arenas, outdoor concert halls, outdoor entertainment activities of any kind.
Personal services: Services such as hair styling or cuts, massage or other services are allowed.
Long-term care: Visits are allowed.
Moderate Risk
The following counties are under the ‘moderate risk’ category: Lincoln, Curry, Harney, and Morrow.
Social and at-home gathering size: Indoor gatherings limited to a maximum of eight with a recommended limit of two households. Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.
Eating and drinking establishments: Indoor dining available at 50% capacity or a maximum 100 person capacity (whichever is smaller) and a maximum of six per table. 11 p.m. close. Outdoor dining available with a maximum capacity of 150 people and maximum of eight per table.
Indoor recreation and fitness establishments: The following establishments can open with 50% capacity or 100 people total (whichever is smaller): gyms, fitness organizations, indoor recreational sports, indoor pools, indoor K-12 sports, indoor collegiate sports, indoor personal training and indoor dance.
Indoor entertainment establishments: The following establishments can open with maximum 50% capacity or 100 people total (whichever is smaller): aquariums, indoor theaters, indoor arenas, indoor concert halls, indoor gardens, indoor museums, indoor entertainment activities of any kind, indoor event spaces.
Retail Stores: Maximum 75% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for the following: Farmers’ markets, grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.
Shopping centers and malls: Max 75% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for both indoor and outdoor malls.
Faith institutions, funeral homes, mortuaries, cemeteries: Indoor max 50% capacity or 150 total (whichever is smaller), 250 people outdoor.
Offices: Recommend employees switch to remote work if able.
Outdoor recreation and fitness establishments: A maximum of 150 people at the following: outdoor gyms, outdoor fitness organizations, outdoor recreational sports, outdoor pools, outdoor parks and hiking trails, outdoor campsites, outdoor K-12 sports, outdoor collegiate sports, outdoor personal training, outdoor dance.
Outdoor entertainment establishments: A maximum of 150 people at the following: Zoos, outdoor gardens, outdoor aquariums, outdoor theaters, outdoor stadiums, outdoor event spaces, outdoor arenas, outdoor concert halls, outdoor entertainment activities of any kind.
Personal services: Services such as hair styling or cuts, massage or other services are allowed.
Long-term care: Visits are allowed.
Lower Risk
The following counties are under the ‘lower risk’ category: Gilliam, Sherman, Tillamook, Wallowa and Wheeler.
Social and at-home gathering size: Indoor gatherings limited to a maximum of 10 people with a recommended limit of four households. Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 12 people.
Eating and drinking establishments: Indoor dining available at 50% capacity. Midnight close. Outdoor dining available with a maximum capacity of 300 people and maximum of eight per table.
Indoor recreation and fitness establishments: The following establishments can open with 50% capacity: gyms, fitness organizations, indoor recreational sports, indoor pools, indoor K-12 sports, indoor collegiate sports, indoor personal training and indoor dance.
Indoor entertainment establishments: The following establishments can open with maximum 50% capacity: aquariums, indoor theaters, indoor arenas, indoor concert halls, indoor gardens, indoor museums, indoor entertainment activities of any kind, indoor event spaces.
Retail Stores: Maximum 75% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for the following: Farmers’ markets, grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.
Shopping centers and malls: Max 75% of capacity, encourage curbside pick-up for both indoor and outdoor malls.
Faith institutions, funeral homes, mortuaries, cemeteries: Indoor maximum of 75% capacity, 300 people outdoor.
Offices: Limited office work available.
Outdoor recreation and fitness establishments: A maximum of 300 people at the following: outdoor gyms, outdoor fitness organizations, outdoor recreational sports, outdoor pools, outdoor parks and hiking trails, outdoor campsites, outdoor K-12 sports, outdoor collegiate sports, outdoor personal training, outdoor dance.
Outdoor entertainment establishments: A maximum of 300 people at the following: Zoos, outdoor gardens, outdoor aquariums, outdoor theaters, outdoor stadiums, outdoor event spaces, outdoor arenas, outdoor concert halls, outdoor entertainment activities of any kind.