June 4, 2:20 p.m.
Douglas County has been approved to enter Phase 2 of Governor Kate Brown’s reopening plans.
A release from the Board of Commissioners said the county will be among the first of Oregon’s counties to move to Phase 2, effective Friday.
The release said the move brings further relaxing of restrictions on group gatherings, as well as additional opportunities for businesses to reopen and expand offerings. That includes expanded openings for recreational activities, including public pools, museums, movie theaters and summer youth camps. In addition, collegiate athletes will be able to resume sports activities. The release said all of those will be subject to new guidelines and restrictions as directed by Governor Brown and the Oregon Health Authority.
Commissioner Chris Boice said “Phase 1 of reopening has gone very well”. He said “we are fortunate to have the support of our local communities; that we have the right people in the right places to guide us through this pandemic; and we have put ourselves in the position to advance to Phase 2”. Boice said even though the county is moving forward, this will not be a quick or easy road for local businesses or residents. Boice said, “we will all need to work together to help our neighbors, friends, families, and our livelihoods rebound from this crisis”. Boice encouraged residents to “support local communities by making purchases, dining out, staying home if you are sick and signing up to volunteer when and where you can”.
Douglas County’s Phase 2 request letter was submitted last Friday by Board Chair Boice and by County Public Health Officer, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer.
Dannenhoffer said “we are entering Phase 2 because of our vigorous response to COVID-19”. He said, “we have done all the hard work locally to prepare and respond to this pandemic”. He said he expects more cases because the threat of the virus is not gone, but said the county has increased it epidemiology capacity to track cases and support quarantine and isolation to reduce the spread. Dannenhoffer said he encourages people to socially distance, and wear masks in public to reduce the spread of the virus.
Commissioner Tom Kress said he is very proud of the county “and the hard work that has gone into our COVID-19 response efforts”. Commissioner Tim Freeman praised the work of Dr. Dannenhoffer, the Douglas Public Health Network and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team.
Go to: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19/ for more information on the Governor’s guidelines for Phase 2.