Dear Friends,

Another week has gone by, and I wanted to fill you all in on how the reopening process is going. As of today, 28 counties have entered Phase I of the reopening process. In Phase I, businesses can begin to reopen for in-store services as long as they maintain physical distancing and other restrictions, and local gatherings are allowed up to 25 people, with no cross-county travel. (Read more about Phase I here.) Washington County is one of three counties that has yet to apply, but it is working hard to ensure it can meet the reopening metrics by early to mid-June.

I want to be clear that, even in those counties beginning Phase I of reopening, the virus is still very much a danger to our communities. Please wear a mask when you leave the house and continue to maintain physical distancing. It is very important that we all work together to do our part to limit the spread of the virus. If counties begin to see sudden, uncontained spikes in COVID-19 infections, they may have to re-implement a stay-at-home restriction.

I hope you all are well, and I look forward to seeing you out on the street and waving to you from 6 feet away when Washington County meets the Phase I requirements.

Sincerely,

Mark

Senator Mark Hass
Senate District 14

email: Sen.MarkHass@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1714
address: 900 Court St NE, S-207, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/hass

COVID-19 Numbers

• Positive Cases: 3,470
• Total Tests: 89,444
• Currently Hospitalized: 161
• Deaths: 137

28 Counties Are Approved to Begin Phase I of Reopening Process, Washington County Working to Quality by Early to Mid-June

Governor Kate Brown has announced the counties that can begin entering Phase I of reopening on May 15. Qualifying counties demonstrated that they met all of Oregon’s safety and preparedness prerequisites for reopening, as well as a declining prevalence of COVID-19.

We will continue to monitor testing rates, effectiveness at contract tracing and isolation of new cases, hospitalization rates, and other metrics that are required to remain open in Phase One for each of these counties.

Of the 33 counties that applied to reopen on May 15, 28 counties were approved. (Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas counties did not apply to reopen on May 15.) Three applications are pending review today. The applications for Marion and Polk counties were not approved, and those counties will be monitored for seven days to see if conditions in those counties have improved.

Full county application information is available here.

County Reopening Status Lists and Guidance Documents are available at coronavirus.oregon.gov.

Oregonians can view the reopening status of their county, as well as sector-specific guidance documents with more information about the reopening process, at coronavirus.oregon.gov.

Statewide Guidelines

In counties not entering Phase I, the following guidelines take effect or remain in effect beginning May 15:

• Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and credit unions, and gas stations are all open.
• Restaurants are open for take-out service only.
• Standalone retail operations are open provided they meet required safety and physical distancing guidelines.
• Indoor and outdoor malls are closed.
• Local outdoor recreation activities are open, including many state parks.
• Non-emergency medical care, dentist offices and veterinary care are open and operating, provided they meet required safety guidelines.
• Local cultural, civic and faith gatherings are allowed for up to 25 people provided physical distancing can be in place.
• Local social gatherings over 10 people are prohibited and those under 10 people must use physical distancing.
• Personal care services such as salons and barbers, as well as gyms, are closed.
• Childcare is open under certain restrictions, with priority placements for children of health care workers, first responders, and frontline workers.
• Summer camp and summer school program guidelines are forthcoming.

Phase I Counties

In counties approved for Phase I, the following additional areas can operate if they comply with sector-specific health and safety guidance beginning May 15:

• Restaurants, bars, and other such establishments for dine-in service until 10 pm
• Personal services businesses
• All retail businesses, including malls and shopping centers
• Gyms and other fitness facilities
• Local gatherings of up to 25 people

Gyms and Fitness Guidance

Gyms and other fitness facilities in counties that have reopened for Phase I will be required to follow new health and safety guidance as well. The new guidance is available here.

A full copy of Governor Brown’s remarks is available here.

Washington County Board of Commissioners Approves Reopening Plan

Today the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a reopening plan written by county staff with input from local emergency managers. The board also approved contracting with two outside agencies for recruitment of contact tracers and support staff. 

Today’s approval does not mean Washington County is ready to apply to the Governor’s Office for Phase I. 

Washington County’s comprehensive reopening plan details the seven criteria set by Governor Kate Brown for a county to be eligible for Phase I. These are listed below, along with the county’s current status on each of them: 

1. Declining prevalence of COVID-19: This criterion has been met. Washington County data on positive tests, case counts and hospitalizations can be found at http://arcg.is/0Si5re.
2. Minimum testing regimen: This criterion has been met.
3. Contact tracing system: This requirement is still in process. Now that contracts have been authorized, the county can ramp up hiring to meet the requirement of contacting 95% of cases within 24 hours. The staffing plan for up to 121 people also includes epidemiologists, data entry staff, supervisory and administrative personnel, as well as other support staff. The county plans to have 30% of the contact tracing staff hired at the time the application is submitted. Washington County is committed to hiring a linguistically and culturally diverse local workforce that reflects the community.
4. Isolation/quarantine facilities: This criterion has been met. The county has a contract with a hotel that is already housing people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and those who are unhoused, symptomatic and are awaiting test results. The county is also exploring other options, including hotel vouchers and potential contracts for other housing options near migrant farm camps. 
5. Finalized statewide sector guidelines: This state requirement has been met by the Oregon Health Authority.
6. Sufficient health care capacity: This requirement has been met by the medical providers in the six-county health region.
7. Sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) supply: County and health region requirements have both been met.

Health officials expect positive cases and hospitalizations to increase as people begin to move about more. Community members are urged to continue to practice physical distancing, wash their hands often and wear cloth face coverings.  

Washington County is aiming to be approved by the Governor’s Office for Phase I reopening by early to mid-June.  

Washington County’s reopening plan will be posted on their website at https://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/CommunicableDiseases/COVID-19/reopening.cfm.