The Benton County Board of Commissioners agreed to follow with the decision of the Oregon Health Authority to lift the indoor mask mandate effective midnight, March 12.
At the March 1 meeting, the commissioners discussed options to amend the current policy or not. The Board also agreed to include a recommendation that urges and encourages residents, citizens, visitors, and workers within the county to assess their individual, household, and professional circumstances, as well as the level of COVID-19 transmission in the county.
Governor Kate Brown announced on Feb. 28 that the state would lift the indoor mask requirements at midnight on March 12. This includes lifting mask requirements in schools.
In a release from the county, those who are immunocompromised, have underlying health conditions, are age 65 and older, or who are unvaccinated are recommended to continue wearing a well-fitted, high filtration mask – such as an N-95 or KN-95 – in public indoor spaces. Those with vulnerable loved ones are also urged and encouraged to help protect them by continuing to wear masks in public indoor spaces.
The Board is scheduled to review and consider adoption of the order to lift the mask mandate during their next meeting on Tuesday, March 8.
By: Jennifer Williams
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