May 8, 2020 4:45 p.m.
Douglas County Commissioners submitted their Phase 1 reopening application to Oregon Governor Kate Brown on Friday.
A release from the Board said Chair Chris Boice and County Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer led the effort to complete the document. It is part of the Governor’s requirements to begin the process of reopening the county. The decision to grant Douglas County businesses permission to begin a Phase 1 reopening now lies in the hands of Governor Brown.
According to the reopening plan guidelines, the submitted application will be reviewed and counties that receive approval from the Governor, could enter Phase 1 as soon as next Friday May 15th.
Commissioner Chris Boice said “we are hopeful and encouraged by the opportunity to submit our reopening application”. Boice said the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team led by Commissioner Tim Freeman, along with Dr. Dannenhoffer and the Douglas Public Health Network, “have paved the way for Douglas County to be in the right position to begin the reopening process in a safe and organized manner”. Boice said, “we have done our due diligence, met the criteria outlined and we are ready”.
The release said the county continues to be recognized as a leader in Oregon for its COVID-19 response including drive through testing, coordinated planning, prevention messaging and hospital and care facility capacity preparedness.