March 27, 2020 3:05 a.m.
Rest areas along the interstates and state highways that are operated by the Oregon Department of Transportation remain open during this public health emergency.
Vivian Payne, ODOT Interim Maintenance and Operations Branch Manager said the agency has no plans to close the rest areas as long as staff and cleaning supplies are available.
Payne said the public has a key role to play in ensuring the rest areas are not an infection point for the virus. She said people need to keep their distance from each other and practice good hygiene.
Rest areas managed by the Oregon Travel Information Council or funded by ODOT will remain open, including the Interstate 5 rest stop at Canyonville, managed by the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe.
The ODOT release said cleaning of most rest areas has been doubled and signs have been added warning those using the facilities to keep at least six feet apart at all times.
The I-5 Siskiyou rest area south of Ashland remains open to all northbound traffic, except commercial trucks. The Siskiyou Welcome Center, managed by Travel Oregon, closed last Friday due to concerns over the virus and safety.
All state parks are closed until at least May 8th, but the rest area portion of a state park will remain open, according to Oregon State Parks and Recreation Spokesperson Chris Havel. Barricades will separate a state park’s open rest area from the closed recreation area.
ODOT’s release reminds travelers that the best choice is to avoid unnecessary travel.
The location of all rest areas can be found at www.tripcheck.com.