December 29, 2020 10:40 a.m.

Five counties, including Douglas, have improved from Extreme to the High-Risk level for COVID-19 under an update issued by Governor Kate Brown on Tuesday.

A release said the state’s new public health framework is designed to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19.

Along with Douglas, Clatsop, Coos, Lincoln and Morrow counties will be at the High-Risk level, effective on Friday January 1st and continuing through January 14th.  24 counties remain under the Extreme risk list of restrictions. No counties are listed under the moderate risk category. 7 counties are under the Lower-Risk designation, including Lake County, which moved from the moderate category.

For businesses in High-Risk counties, that means some can resume offering indoor services with health and safety measures and capacity limits in place. For restaurants and drinking establishments, in-door dining is allowed at 25 percent capacity, or 50 people, whichever is smaller. Indoor recreation and fitness organizations can also open at 25 percent capacity or 50 people, whichever is smaller. Indoor entertainment establishments can reopen under the same guidelines. Outdoor recreation and fitness organizations are capped at 75 people. Guidelines for retail stores and malls remain unchanged. Faith institutions and funeral homes can also operate at 25 percent capacity, or 150 people, whichever is lower. Inside visitation is now allowed at long-term care facilities.

Brown said this week’s county data is a “…welcome sign” that progress is being made in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon.

The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week’s data will provide a “warning week” to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. The next assignment of levels will take effect January 15th.

A link to the risk level guidelines is posted with this story at www.541radio.com