Many businesses in Oregon can reopen if they follow health rules

(MAY 15, 2020) Many businesses in Oregon closed for the coronavirus. Now businesses in many counties can open again. In fact, stores in the whole state can open, too. But they have to follow new rules. Stores and services must continue social distancing. They must provide masks for workers. And they must clean regularly.

The governor of Oregon has a plan to restart the state's economy. It has several phases, or steps. Today businesses in 31 counties can enter Phase 1. This includes restaurants, bars, health clubs, hair salons, and shopping malls. Residents in those counties can also have gatherings of up to 25 people.

Counties had to have a health plan. Hospitals have to be ready. Infections must be decreasing. Plans from Marion and Polk counties were not approved yet. Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties are still working on their plans.

Governor Kate Brown discourages people in Portland from traveling. She advises not going to other counties for shopping and services, like haircuts. “We are asking folks in metro area to be thoughtful of their fellow Oregonians, and to stay home and limit their travel to essential needs,” Brown said. “We obviously don’t want to overwhelm the rest of Oregon by traveling outside the metro area.”

However, all retail stores in Oregon (except malls and shopping centers) may open if they follow the new state health rules. Other restrictions still apply to Portland. For example, there can be social gatherings of no more than 10 people. Also, restaurants can have take-out only. If the number of COVID-19 cases continues to be manageable, then the state will relax more restrictions.

“Reopening is a team sport. It’s not going to work if some people follow the rules and other people don’t,” said Pat Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority. “We need to take this slowly. We need to take it one step at a time. And we need everyone on the team to do their part.”