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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, I know it will be difficult to be unable to gather in person to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. However, despite these unprecedented times, there are still many ways for Oregonians to commemorate this Memorial Day. The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) has compiled a list of virtual Memorial Day commemorations, which you can find here. Thank you to ODVA for providing opportunities for us to still reflect and remember our nation’s heroes.
With warm weather in the forecast, it’s going to be tempting to travel to the coast, to your favorite campground, or to one of the many other scenic areas across the state. However, Governor Brown and a bipartisan group of 26 mayors, including some from Oregon’s top tourist destinations, issued a press release urging Oregonians to resist the temptation to travel and instead stay close to home. Please heed their wishes and stay local to save lives. To help answer some of the questions you might have about this weekend, Governor Brown’s office created this FAQ document.
I know this isn’t the holiday weekend many of us imagined, but please be a good neighbor by staying local. This is an excellent opportunity to support our local economy and our amazing small businesses. Clackamas County and Lake Oswego have created websites to help you find the businesses that are currently open, and the lists are updated regularly. Thank you all for doing your part to keep our state healthy.
I wish you all a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend.
Warmly,
 Andrea Salinas, State Representative
Update on Reopening
Last week, Governor Brown approved the first counties to enter Phase 1 of reopening. To enter Phase 1, counties or regions must first demonstrate they can meet a series of prerequisites set at the county and health region level. You can view those requirements here. Under Phase 1, bars and restaurants can resume dine-in service, personal care businesses and gyms can reopen, and local gatherings maintaining social distancing of up to 25 are permitted. More detailed information and sector specific guidance for Phase 1 is available here.
If a county believes they have successfully met those requirements, they can submit an application to the Governor’s Office and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) who will determine whether the county does meet the necessary criteria for reopening. So far, 34 Oregon counties have been approved to enter Phase 1. Oregonians living in these counties should continue wearing face coverings, regularly washing their hands, and maintaining at least six feet of physical distance from others whenever possible.
Approved counties will be in Phase 1 for three weeks. If a county does not see a significant increase in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, and is still able to do sufficient contact tracing, they will be eligible to move into Phase 2. The Governor’s office is still developing the guidance as to what Phase 2 will entail, so more to come on that point.
Clackamas County Approved for Phase 1
Clackamas County submitted their Phase 1 application on May 19th after County Commissioners unanimously agreed it was ready for the Governor and OHA’s review. Earlier this afternoon, Governor Brown announced that Clackamas County’s application has been approved.
So, starting tomorrow, May 23rd, Clackamas County is able to move into Phase 1 of reopening under the Governor’s framework. This means that local gatherings of 25 people are permitted if social distancing is maintained, and the following businesses are able to open if they follow state health and safety guidelines:
Businesses in the above categories who believe they are ready to reopen can view sector specific requirements here.
Entering Phase 1 is possible thanks to the efforts of Clackamas County residents to abide by social distancing measures, and the hard work by county leaders to make sure the county can reopen safely. But, in order to remain in Phase 1, the county must demonstrate they can continue to meet the necessary public health metrics. To ensure Clackamas County avoids a surge in cases, we must continue to diligently implement public health safety measures like frequent handwashing, the regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, and the wearing of face coverings. Going backwards would cause further damage to our already struggling small businesses and overwhelm our health care system. Please adhere to the recommended guidelines as Clackamas County enters Phase 1 so that we can continue our forward momentum. As previously mentioned, if the county is able to meet the prerequisites for 21 days, they may be able to enter Phase 2 of reopening.
I know that all of the various guidelines and sector specific guidance can be confusing, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
Multnomah County
Multnomah County is the only Oregon county that has not submitted an application to enter Phase 1. The good news is that Multnomah County is meeting many of the necessary criteria and is making good progress on the rest. County leaders say that they have sufficient PPE for hospitals and first responders, and they have met the isolation facility criteria for people who cannot self-quarantine if they are mandated to do so. However, the county still does not have enough contact tracers.
State guidelines recommend 15 contact tracers for every 100,000 people, and Multnomah County currently has only 5.5 per 100,000. So, they are 36% of the way towards that target. They need a mix of tracers who have a background in public health, health care, epidemiology, and some who can speak other languages. Multnomah County continues to work hard to ensure that their reopening plans prioritize protecting vulnerable populations, and that their contact tracers reflect the populations they will serve. I am grateful for their efforts to develop a strong plan to keep residents safe, and I will provide you with updates as Multnomah County moves forward.
In the meantime, you can view Multnomah County’s progress towards meeting the reopening prerequisites here. I also want to make sure you are aware that effective as of May 15, Governor Brown issued statewide guidance that applies to ALL Oregon counties, not just those approved for Phase 1. I have included the guidance below, but it is also available on the Governor's COVID-19 resource page.
 Court Ruling: Governor’s Executive Orders
On Monday, a Baker City judge ruled that Governor Brown exceeded her statutory authority by extending the state of emergency without legislative approval. Shortly after the ruling was delivered, the Oregon Supreme Court granted an emergency stay on the ruling thereby allowing the executive orders to remain in effect while the Supreme Court considers whether the injunction should stand. I know that people are eager to get back to normal, but the social distancing measures have been effective. I agree with Governor Brown who said, “It is irresponsible to dismiss the health risks and science behind our measures to stop COVID-19. We would be faced with the prospect of another mass outbreak without the tools that have proven to be effective in protecting our friends, families, neighbors, and loved ones from this disease.”
Public Transportation: TriMet
I wanted to make sure you were aware of the new measures TriMet has implemented to safely provide service to riders and employees. Effective as of May 20, everyone will be required to wear a face covering on TriMet trains and buses. To help riders comply with this requirement, TriMet has placed disposable mask dispensers on their buses and trains. In the next few weeks, hand sanitizer stations will also be installed.
You can read more about TriMet’s safety preparations here.
 Update on Stimulus Checks
I have still been hearing from constituents who have not yet received their stimulus check from the federal government. The IRS launched a phone service to address questions you may be having about your check. You will be presented with a list of automated questions and then be given the option of speaking with an IRS representative over the phone should you need further assistance. The number is 800-919-9835.
email: Rep.AndreaSalinas@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1438
address: 900 Court St NE, H-485, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/salinas
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