May 13, 2021 5:30 p.m.
Governor Kate Brown said the State of Oregon will follow new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding mask and social distancing requirements, with updated guidance to come soon.
Brown said “It is yet another sign that, if we all continue to do our part, the pandemic is coming closer to an end”.
Brown said the new guidance only applies to fully-vaccinated individuals. She said, “That means Oregonians who are fully-vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or social distance in most public spaces”.
Brown said the CDC outlined a few exceptions, such as public transportation, hospitals and health care clinics, correctional facilities, and long-term care facilities. She said Oregon will continue to require individuals to remain masked and distanced in those circumstances. Brown said immuno-comprised people should continue to follow the recommendations of their health care provider when it comes to personal protective measures. Brown’s release said that nothing is changing for schools this school year, and she expects education staff and students to continue to wear masks and physically distance as outlined in the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance.
Brown said in the coming days, the Oregon Health Authority will be providing updated guidance for businesses, employers and others to allow the option of lifting mask and physical distancing requirements after verifying vaccination status. She said some businesses may prefer to simply continue operating under the current guidance for now, rather than worrying about verifying vaccination status.
Brown said, “Oregonians now have a choice of how to protect themselves and others from COVID-19; either get vaccinated, or continue wearing a mask and following physical distancing requirements”. She said, “Vaccines are also the fastest way to get back to doing the things we all love, and returning to a sense of normalcy”.
Links to Brown’s video and her written statement are posted: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TTifiyJTj5sCfjkrP_qJmyKstAkkO8vT/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FFbhH9q0Lf-b0TQvOYAgYLpfeKP3crJ-/view