Coronavirus Update: Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Transit

ViewOnline
House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Transit

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Oregon Health Authority reported new data today that continues to be encouraging in terms of how our state has managed the public health aspect of the coronavirus pandemic. Here is what the agency notes in its weekly report, which can be found here.

"During the last week, OHA recorded 392 new cases of COVID-19 infection, a 25% drop from the previous week (526 new cases). In addition, 8 Oregonians were reported to have died, a 62% decline from the previous week (21 deaths)."

The OHA also released updated information on signs and symptoms of confirmed coronavirus cases. The two most commonly reported symptoms are cough (64.8%) and muscle aches (46.9%), followed by headache (46.7%), fever over 100 degrees (41.9%) and chills (41.6%).


OHA COVID-19 Signs and Symptoms 051920

Even as we continue to get good news about our state’s handling of this pandemic, we still have to remain vigilant in looking for these symptoms and stay home if we are feeling sick. This virus is still a threat, and there is the potential for more exposure as most counties are in Phase 1 of reopening.

I also know that the success we’ve had has come with immense sacrifice. Our state unemployment rate is above 14%, and too many Oregonians still haven’t heard back about their unemployment claims. I want to assure you that I’m pushing as hard as I can to get the backlog of claims cleared. I hope to have more details later this week.


Outdoor Recreation

New statewide guidelines were released last week for a number of different sectors. Today, let’s look at outdoor recreation and transit agencies. Let’s start with the great outdoors!

Here is a list of what outdoor recreation organizations are required to do:

  • Prior to reopening after extended closure, ensure all parks and facilities are ready to operate and that all equipment is in good condition, according to any applicable maintenance and operations manuals and standard operating procedures.
  • Prohibit parties (a group of 10 or fewer people that arrived at the site together) from congregating in parking lots for periods longer than reasonable to retrieve/return gear and enter/exit vehicles.
  • Reinforce the importance of maintaining at least six (6) feet of physical distance between parties (a group of 10 or fewer people that arrived at the site together) on hiking trails, beaches and boat ramps through signs and education.
  • Keep day-use areas that are prone to attracting crowds closed (including but not limited to playgrounds, picnic shelters/structures, water parks and pools, and sports courts for contact sports like basketball).
  • Prohibit contact sports.
  • Thoroughly clean restroom facilities at least twice daily and, to the extent possible, ensure adequate sanitary supplies (soap, toilet paper, hand sanitizer) throughout the day. Restroom facilities that cannot be cleaned twice daily should be kept closed or a sign should be posted stating that the restroom is unable to be cleaned twice daily.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect work areas, high-traffic areas, and commonly touched surfaces in both public and non-public areas of parks and facilities.
  • Post clear signs (available at healthoregon.org/coronavirus) listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking employees, volunteers and visitors with symptoms to stay home and who to contact if they need assistance.
  • Keep any common areas such as picnic tables not in shelters/structures, day-use shelters, and buildings open to the public arranged so there is at least six (6) feet of physical distance between parties (chairs, benches, tables). Post clear signs to reinforce physical distancing requirements between visitors of different parties.
  • Review and implement Mask and Face Covering Guidance for Business, Transit and the Public.

The full OHA guidance on outdoor recreation is available here.


Transit Agencies

Last Friday, the state also issued new guidelines for how each transit agency must operate to keep their customers and staff safe and healthy. Transit agencies must:

  • Require at least three (3) feet of physical distance between passengers.
  • Require at least six (6) feet of physical distance between the driver and passengers (except during boarding and in assisting those with mobility devices); reinforce this requirement by cordoning off seats as appropriate.
  • Use physical partitions or visual cues (e.g., floor decals, colored tape, or signs) to discourage passengers from standing and sitting within three (3) feet of other passengers, and within six (6) feet of drivers, and other transit employees on the bus/train.
  • Determine and post maximum occupancy for each bus.
  • For rail systems, post maximum occupancy for each train car using clear, prominently placed signs. Make verbal announcements about maximum occupancy before and after each stop.
  • Post clear signs, in more than one language, (available at healthoregon.org/coronavirus) at transit stops/centers listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking riders with symptoms to stay home, and who to contact if they need assistance. If someone with symptoms must travel, please use alternate transit, if available.
  • Review and implement Mask and Face Covering Guidance for Business, Transit and the Public.
  • Provide transit employees access to soap, clean running water, and drying materials, or at least 60-95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer at their worksite.
  • Clean buses/trains and transit stations frequently. Conduct targeted cleanings every four (4) hours, with a focus on disinfecting frequently touched surfaces of the bus/train and at transit stations.

The full guidance from the OHA on transit agencies is available here.


The Latest News

  • Governor Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives directive remains in place while the Oregon Supreme Court prepares to take up legal challenges. Last night, the Oregon Supreme Court granted an emergency stay, hours after a judge in Baker County invalidated the directive. Arguments must be filed with the court by Friday. Oregon Public Broadcasting has more information here and you can read the Governor’s statement on the Supreme Court ruling here.
  • Washington and Clackamas counties plan to submit their separate applications to the state to be considered for Phase 1 reopening on June 1. Willamette Week has more information here. Multnomah County has not yet set a date for its expected reopening.
  • The Oregon Health Authority reported 33 more confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 3,636 confirmed cases. The agency also announced eight new presumptive cases. There are 3,726 confirmed and presumptive cases combined. Sadly, two more people have died, meaning there have been 140 confirmed deaths in Oregon from coronavirus.

OHA COVID-19 Update 5-19-2020

OHA Hospital Capacity 5-19-2020

To read past newsletters, you can go to this link. For up to date information, please check this link to the Oregon Health Authority where regular updates are posted: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/News-Releases.aspx

Please email me at Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov if you have specific concerns that have not been addressed by the OHA. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.

Thank you for reading! We will get through this together.

Best,

Tina

Tina Kotek

State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House

email: Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek