24 Feb 2021 | 07:48 PM UTC
US: State of Oregon to ease COVID-19 restrictions in additional counties effective Feb. 26 /update 21
Officials in Oregon, US, to ease restrictions in 16 counties effective Feb. 26 due to decreases in COVID-19 activity.
Event
Authorities in Oregon have issued orders to ease restrictions in 16 of the state's 36 counties and tighten restrictions in three others due to changes in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Effective Feb. 26, Crook, Jackson, Lane, Marion, Polk, Umatilla, and Yamhill counties will move from the Extreme to the High-Risk Level; Clackamas, Hood River, Linn, Malheur, Union, and Washington will move from the Extreme and High Levels to the Moderate Level; and Clatsop, Lincoln, and Wasco counties will move from the Extreme and High Levels to the Lower Risk Level. Conversely, Curry and Harney counties will move upward from the Lower to the Moderate Risk Level, with Douglas County escalating from the High to the Extreme Risk Level.
The will be no change in the status of Oregon's remaining 17 counties. These new directives will stay in place until March 11.
Under Oregon's current system, authorities track COVID-19 activity within each of the state's counties and impose localized restrictions accordingly. Counties are categorized at one of four levels, ranging from the Lower Risk (or "green") level to the Extreme Risk (or "red") level, with each involving increasingly tighter restrictions. For details on Oregon's COVID-19 risk level system, click here.
Between Feb. 26-March 11, the specific counties at each level will be:
Lower Risk (green): Baker, Clatsop, Gilliam, Grant, Lincoln, Sherman, Tillamook, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler
Moderate Risk (yellow): Clackamas, Curry, Harney, Hood River, Lake, Linn, Malheur, Morrow, Union, and Washington
High Risk (orange): Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Umatilla and Yamhill
Extreme Risk (red): Benton, Coos, Douglas, Jefferson, Josephine
Statewide, residents over the age of five must wear protective facemasks in indoor settings and in outdoor settings when social distancing is not possible. Authorities have also urged residents to avoid any nonessential travel and encourage out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Advice
Heed the directives of the authorities. Reconfirm all health-related travel requirements before travel. Confirm appointments in advance.
Resources
WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
State of Oregon - COVID-19 Updates
