Governor Kate Brown Announces Phase 2 of Building a Safe and Strong Oregon
Updates to health and safety guidance to be posted at coronavirus.oregon.gov
(Portland, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced details about Phase 2 of reopening, under her framework for building a safe and strong Oregon. There are 31 counties that can apply now to enter Phase 2 on Friday, June 5. “I want to say thank you to each and every Oregonian who has made sacrifices to protect the health and safety of our communities,” said Governor Brown.
“Your leadership––you choosing to be both kind and smart––is why we have been able to start the reopening process.” “Any reopening comes with risk. That’s just a fact of life right now. So we need to reduce the risk that comes with reopening. So, fellow Oregonians, you have another chance to shine. A chance to show that you are looking out for your friends, family, and neighbors.”
The Oregon Health Authority is reviewing the COVID-19 metrics and data for counties that have applied for Phase 2, and on June 4 the Governor’s Office will announce the initial counties entering Phase 2.
Criteria for entering Phase 2
Phase 2 continues the county-by-county approach to reopening. Counties can be approved to enter Phase 2 only if they have been in Phase 1 for at least 21 days and are succeeding in controlling the spread of the virus. Counties approved to enter Phase 2 must continue to meet Phase 1 metrics, including:
- Declining disease prevalence
- Having an adequate number of contact tracers, including people reflective of the communities they serve
- Establishing adequate testing, isolation and quarantine facilities, sufficient hospital surge capacity, and sufficient personal protective equipment supply
Counties must also meet additional prerequisites, including:
- Demonstrating that they are able to trace new cases within 24 hours
- As counties see new cases, they must be able to identify where they are coming from at least 70% of the time
- Counties cannot be experiencing a significant increase in cases
New Guidance for Phase 2
Counties that enter Phase 2 will be able to continue with the reopening process, following updated health and safety guidance:
- Gathering limits will be raised to 50 people indoors, and 100 people outdoors.
- Indoor and outdoor venues, including theaters and churches, with 6 feet of physical distancing and other measures in place, can reach a COVID-19 occupancy limit of up to 250.
- Offices can begin reopening and employees can return to workplaces with physical distancing and other measures in place, though remote work is still strongly recommended whenever possible.
- Increased travel will be allowed throughout Oregon, though staying local is still recommended to prevent overloading county health systems.
- Restaurants and bars will have curfews extended to midnight.
- Pools and sports courts will be allowed to reopen under new guidance.
- Indoor and outdoor activities such as bowling, batting cages, and mini golf, will be allowed to reopen under new guidance.
- Recreational sports can resume in a limited form, under strict physical distancing guidance.
Additional Statewide Guidance For all counties, including those remaining in Phase 1 or on baseline status:
- Zoos, gardens, and museums can reopen in a limited fashion.
- Professional and collegiate sports teams can return to training in their facilities with physical distancing and health and safety measures in place.
Updates to sector-specific guidance will be made available at coronavirus.oregon.gov. The Governor’s Office continues to work with the Oregon Health Authority to update health and safety guidance for the reopening process. Members of the public with questions about the reopening process are encouraged to visit coronavirus.oregon.gov. The Governor’s full remarks are available here. A recording of the Governor’s press conference is available here.
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When the fourteen-member Interim Special Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response was created, they were tasked with identifying related impacts of the novel coronavirus. They immediately recognized the extreme need for supplies, equipment and infrastructure to respond to health care needs across the state. But as the state look towards a post pandemic future, greater emphasis were given to the digital divide and broadband as an essential infrastructure for Oregon. Broadband connection supports businesses, government, schools, libraries, utilities, healthcare providers, first responders and families.
Oregon's Technology, Innovation, Rural Broadband and the Digital Divide
Discussion Featuring:
What: KXCR 90.7 FM "Fireside Chat"
When: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Join us live on Twitter and Instagram or tune into on KXCR ttps://www.twitch.tv/kxcr_streaming or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kxcr90.7/
As always we look forward to hearing from you so that we can draw on your knowledge and recommendations on ways we can bridge the gap to ensure we emerge successfully in a post-pandemic Oregon. If you would like to suggest a topic for our next show or have a comment on the topics, please get in touch with us on Twitterand Instagram or tune into on or Facebook
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New statewide guidance effective immediately
Phase 2 guidance:
In April, Business Oregon created the Small Business Navigator (SBN) to function as a clearinghouse for small businesses seeking help accessing resources. In addition to questions about state resources, we have provided businesses and sole proprietors with information about SBA programs and currently host a website for entities seeking to source PPE in order to reopen and get back to work. At Governor Brown’s direction, we are also responding to questions from Oregonians about Phase I reopening guidance and have seen a significant increase in calls to the hotline.
We continue to track the legislative districts of the callers supported through the SBN hotline and wanted to share that between May 19 – May 29, over 210 individuals and businesses contacted the navigator with questions or seeking guidance about resources, including 5 from your district.
Please consider making your constituents aware of the SBN so we can continue to support small businesses and the families and communities that depend on them. We have staff available to respond to emails and calls Monday through Friday from 8 am – 5 pm via the resource hotline at 833-604-0880 or biz.covid19@oregon.gov.
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