Oregonians will no longer be required to wear a mask while outdoors. The Oregon Health Authority made the announcement on Tuesday that the state has lifted its current outdoor mask mandate effective immediately.
The updated mandate issued by OHA reads: “OHA has lifted the requirement to wear masks in crowded outdoor settings, such as football games, concerts, or holiday festivals. People in Oregon are still required to wear masks in indoor public settings to protect against the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.”
In late August Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued the mandate requiring everyone wear a mask in public, including in outdoor spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, and regardless of vaccination status. OHA still recommends outdoor mask wearing for certain groups to protect against disease transmission, including people who are unvaccinated, elderly, and immunocompromised.
OHA Director Pat Allen made the announcement in a press conference saying, “Together, we’ve managed to turn back the tsunami of new infections that very nearly swamped our healthcare system. Our collective adherence to these life saving measures has spared Oregon from the extreme impacts experienced in other states.”
In addition to lifting the outdoor mask mandate, Allen and Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill were joined by State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger to announce launching the “Test to Stay ” program in public and private schools.
This program will allow students and staff without symptoms to remain in Oregon’s K-12 schools during their quarantine period provided they test negative twice within one week of exposure. The program is combined with several layers of infection risk mitigation plans including universal masking, physical distancing, cohorting, and ventilation to minimize risk of infection.
OHA and ODE announced that public and private schools may use the Test to Stay program to help keep unvaccinated students and staff safely in school after an exposure to COVID-19 effective immediately.
By Jennifer Williams
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