Linn County is among 31 counties that entered Phase 1 of the governor’s plan to reopen Oregon Friday, May 15, allowing restaurants and bars, personal service providers and gyms to reopen.
Locally, the City of Sweet Home partially opened its parks this week, following state guidelines. Playgrounds will remain closed, with cleaning twice a day and park amenities set up to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.
“I am thrilled with the news that Linn County has been approved for re-opening,” said state Rep. Sherrie Sprenger in a statement. “These past few months have been difficult for workers and small businesses. But as someone who has lived in Linn County for most of my life, I know that we have what it takes to make our way to a full recovery. I urge all county residents to take the proper precautions to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to be considerate of the safety and well-being of others. I also want to thank Commissioners (Roger) Nyquist, (John) Lindsey and (Will) Tucker for their hard work during this very trying time.”
Gov. Kate Brown named the 31 counties approved for Phase 1 during a press conference Thursday morning. Two counties, Marion and Polk, which had applied for Phase 1 status were denied, while the remaining three counties, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington, had yet to submit their plans.
“In each of these counties 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,” Brown said. “I am focused on protecting the health and safety of Oregonians, while understanding that job losses have a negative impact on public health – both physical and emotional health.
“As we begin the process of reopening and building a safe and strong Oregon, I again ask Oregonians to come together and be smart. Reopening any part of our state comes with risk.
“This virus is still very dangerous, and it still poses a great threat.
“Please follow the safety measures we are putting in place to help these businesses reopen – we’ve had the best doctors and public health experts guide us on how to safely and gradually reopen Oregon.
“It’s up to us to follow their advice if we want to keep Oregon safe and strong.”
Linn County’s application to begin Phase 1 was developed by county public health officials, with the support of local cities, chambers of Commerce and Samaritan Health Services. The plan met or exceeded the governor’s requirements for testing capabilities, contact tracing, PPE supplies and finding designating isolation facilities.
Previous to Phase 1, healthcare providers were allowed to open, including dentists and elective surgery. Retailers that were not already exempt from the governor’s closure orders are also now open as long as they meet required physical distancing and safety guidelines. Local recreation activities, including some state parks, are now open.
Phase 1 guidance
Phase 1 includes guidance for reopening restaurants and bars, personal services providers and gyms.
– Restaurants and bars must ensure that tables are at least 6 feet apart to maintain a 6-foot distance among parties, including when customers approach or leave tables. Employees must wear facemasks. Restaurants and bars must end all on-site consumption by 10 p.m.
– Personal care services, including salons, barber shops, massage parlors and other businesses, must operate on an appointment basis, with a pre-appointment “health check.”
The businesses must maintain a customer log and maintain 6 feet of physical distancing among clients. They must remove all magazines, newspapers, snacks and beverages from waiting areas, and employees and clients, depending on services provided, must wear facemasks.
– Gyms and fitness centers must limit the number of customers and enforce physical distancing and sanitation requirements.
– Local gatherings are allowed up to 25 persons.
– Under May 15 statewide guidance for face coverings, all businesses must provide face coverings and require employees to wear them. In public, all Oregonians must wear a face covering on public transit, and the state strongly recommended that Oregonians wear a face covering in settings like grocery stores where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
In an effort to bring students back to classrooms safely, Oregon Department has issued new statewide guidance for in-person instruction for summer school and other summer programs. The guidance ensures that all in-person instruction minimizes health and safety risks while improving student connections and learning. The guidance requires all summer educational settings to develop communicable disease management plans, with measures for infection control, physical distancing, screening for COVID-19 symptoms, and contact tracing.
Phase 2 and beyond
After 21 days in Phase 1, counties that continue to meet the prerequisites for Phase 1 may enter Phase 2.
The earliest date Linn County can request moving to Phase 2 is June 5. In order to be approved and keep moving through the phases, Linn County must be able to demonstrate and maintain several key things, including decreasing COVID-19 cases for at least 14 days; sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel and first responders; sufficient contact tracing resources; and sufficient testing capacity to track the disease.
According to Brown, the goal is to further expand gathering sizes of up to 100 with physical distancing, allow some office work and begin allowing visitation to congregate care buildings, like nursing homes.
The governor’s office continues to work on the specific details for Phase 2, which will be based on data collected during Phase 1. Those details are subject to change.
Phase 3 may include concerts, conventions, festivals, live-audience sports, but according to the governor, large gatherings and events are not possible until a reliable treatment or prevention is available. As a result, large gatherings are canceled through at least September.
As the county reopens in Phase I, Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker said, the health and safety of the community is the first priority and asked that the public be diligent in maintaining social distancing and wearing masks.
If appropriate precautions are not taken, the county is at risk to return to “stay at home” conditions, including closing local businesses for another duration, and the Linn County Board of Commissioners calls on the citizens and businesses to take the safety guidance to heart and keep everyone safe.