March 12, 2020 4:25 a.m.
Large gatherings of over 250 people are now banned in Oregon for the next four weeks.
Wednesday night, Governor Kate Brown announced what she called “urgent new rules” to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. Brown said the measures are based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon public health experts, epidemiologists and health professionals.
The immediate changes include:
*All large gatherings of over 250 people are canceled for four weeks, effective immediately. Brown’s press release defines a gathering as any event in a space in which appropriate social distancing of a minimum of three feet cannot be maintained.
*While schools remain open, all non-essential school-associated gatherings and group activities should be cancelled. That includes group meetings, field trips and competitions.
*In the workplace, it is recommended that distancing measures be implemented including an increased physical space between employees in offices and worksites, limited in-person meetings, limited travel and staggered work schedules where possible.
*Strict limitations for long-term care and assisted living facilities announced earlier this week by the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services, remain in place.
Brown said as the number of positive cases of COVID-19 increase across Oregon, public health resources will be directed toward implementing the guidelines and policies in this statewide mitigation plan, and reducing focus on aggressive contact follow-up on each individual positive case.
Brown said nobody is immune to the virus. She said “its time for us all to do what we can to slow its spread and take care of one another”.
Brown has submitted an updated request to Vice-President Mike Pence outlining what she called “Oregon’s urgent need from the federal government to support coronavirus response efforts in Oregon, as well as anticipated needs moving forward”.