Coronavirus Update: Weddings Under Phase 2 Reopening

  ViewOnline
House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: Weddings under Phase 2 Reopening

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I was heartened this weekend by the protests against police brutality and racism that took place all across Oregon, even despite some rainy weather.

While much of the media attention has been focused on the daily marches taking place in Portland, this weekend saw a large demonstration at the Capitol in Salem, as well as many other community-led protests in all corners of the state, such as Astoria, Burns, Coquille, Hermiston, Klamath Falls, Medford, Ontario, Pendleton, Prineville, and many other towns.

Please remember that we must continue to act safely as we go about our day-to-day lives and while exercising the right to protest injustice. As the latest news on infections reminds us (see below), the coronavirus is very much still an active threat in our communities.

We all have to continue to exercise caution while outside our homes and be mindful of protecting others.


Phase 2 Reopening and Weddings

I know many folks have already had to make the difficult decision to reschedule wedding dates in order to protect the health and safety of family and friends. If you’ve already had to postpone a wedding date this year, I’m sorry this pandemic has forced you to delay this special day.

Now that 29 counties have entered Phase 2 (all but Clackamas, Hood River, Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk and Washington), I know there are many questions about whether weddings can take place. Here is what we know from the Oregon Health Authority.

If you are in a Phase 2 county, you can have a wedding in a private home or yard as long as it follows this guidance about gatherings. The type of venue determines how large the wedding can be. Phase 2 Reopening limits indoor gatherings to a maximum of 50 people, while outdoor gatherings can have as many as 100 people.

Of course, strict physical distancing must still be followed. Outdoor gatherings are recommended when possible, as well as configuring outdoor space to ensure that groups contain no more than 10 people. For example, do not set tables for more than 10 people at a table or configure concert seating in groups of more than 10 seats.

It is still recommended that guests who feel sick or are in high-risk categories (over 65 or underlying medical conditions) should stay home. Guests should be encouraged and helped to practice good hand hygiene with frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol content). Face coverings are also highly recommended for all guests.

If you are hoping to have a wedding at a venue, guidance here on venue and event operators is most relevant. Venues should keep gathering capacity to a maximum of 250 people, or the number of people (including staff) based on a determination of capacity (square footage/occupancy as specified below), whichever is less. And, spaces should be configured to avoid groups bigger than 10 people.


The Latest News

  • The Oregon Health Authority reported 392 more confirmed cases of coronavirus since Friday, bringing the statewide total to 4,775 confirmed cases. There are 4,922 confirmed and presumptive cases combined. Sadly, there have been three more deaths from coronavirus, meaning there have been 164 confirmed deaths in Oregon from coronavirus.
  • Oregon has now seen three consecutive days of high infection totals: 93 on Saturday, 146 on Sunday, and 113 on Monday. The last two days are the first times since early April that Oregon has had daily case counts above 100. Remember, these diagnoses can happen weeks after infection occurs. Oregon has been gradually doing county-by-county reopening since May 15, so it’s to be expected that we would see an increase in cases as things open up in Phase 1 counties.
  • There were 124 cases of coronavirus reported by Pacific Seafood at their facilities in Newport. You can read more about that here.

OHA COVID-19 Update 6-8-2020

OHA Hospital Capacity 6-8-2020

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