Portland,
Over the Memorial Day weekend, you may have noticed more retail stores and State Parks reopening in our region and across the state. With the summer season coming and warmer weather ramping up, I can’t stress enough how important it is that you follow public health guidance and pay attention to the status and protocols set for each county.
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Governor Kate Brown has already approved most counties to slowly re-open under her guidance for building a resilient, safe and strong Oregon.
Our partners at Multnomah County say they plan on applying for reopening soon.
There are many public health factors to consider before Multnomah County applies for Phase 1. As the largest city in the most populous county, I want you to know that our main objective is to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. To be eligible for Phase 1, Multnomah County must meet the following criteria including:
- Declining prevalence of COVID-19
- Testing regimen
- Contact tracing system
- Isolation facilities
- Sufficient health care capacity
- Sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE)
The status of Multnomah County and other counties can change in the weeks ahead.
For now, Multnomah County and Washington County are still considered baseline counties. What does that mean? The Governor's office explains here.
In the meantime, I want to break down what’s happening in Portland and what to expect.
What’s Open in Baseline Counties
- Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and credit unions, and gas stations are all open.
- Restaurants are open for take-out service only.
- Stand-alone retail operations are open provided they meet required safety and physical distancing guidelines. Indoor and outdoor malls are closed.
- Local outdoor recreation activities are open, including many state parks.
- Non-emergency medical care, dentist offices and veterinary care facilities are open and operating, provided they meet required safety guidelines.
- Local cultural, civic and faith gatherings are allowed for up to 25 people provided physical distancing can be in place.
- Local social gatherings over 10 people are prohibited and those under 10 people must use physical distancing (6 feet or more).
- Personal care services such as salons and barbers, as well as gyms, are closed.
- Childcare facilities are open under certain restrictions, with priority placements for children of health care workers, first responders, and frontline workers.
- Overnight camps at State Parks are not permitted. Day camps are open with restrictions, including maximum stable groups of 10 or fewer children.
- For summer school, limited in-person, small group instruction and/or summer programming is allowed, with certain restrictions.
Are Restaurants Open?
Restaurants in Baseline counties are open for take-out service only. Restaurants in approved Phase 1 counties must ensure tables are spaced at least six feet apart, require all employers to wear cloth face coverings, and end on-site consumption by 10 pm.
Can I Visit a Salon or Barbershop?
Personal care services (salons, day spas, nail salons, tannins salons, tattoo/piercing salons, facials spas, barbershops and gyms) are closed in Portland and other baseline counties. Businesses in approved Phase 1 counties must ensure every client is healthy before each appointment, maintain a customer log, maintain physical distancing between clients, and require face coverings by employees and clients.
Can I have a birthday party?
Under the Baseline guidance, local social gatherings over 10 people are prohibited and those under 10 people must use physical distancing. Under Phase 1 guidance, limit local gatherings to 25 with no traveling.
Can I go to the gym?
Gyms in Portland and other Baseline counties are closed. Gyms in approved Phase 1 counties are allowed to open, but they must limit maximum number of customers accordingly and enforce physical distancing & sanitation.
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As tempting as it may sound to storm the coast or State Parks, remember that many individuals can be asymptomatic, meaning they can carry the virus without exhibiting symptoms. Visiting other parts of the state can spread the virus. Please don’t take that risk and travel too far from home. If you must, we encourage you to wear a cloth face covering.
We are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re not there yet.
Hang in there.
Sincerely,
Ted Wheeler
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