SALEM — The Oregon Capitol in Salem reopened to the public Monday, ending a nearly 16-month lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legislative leaders, who control the Capitol’s operations, closed the statehouse to the public on March 18, 2020. The move came 10 days after Gov. Kate Brown had declared a state emergency over the virus that would go on to kill more than 600,000 people in the United States.
House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, and Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said health officials had recommended access to the capitol be severely limited until infections fell below 50 per 100,000 population in Marion County, which includes Salem.
After Gov. Kate Brown announced the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions at the end of June, the top legislators said the building would reopen July 12. Oregon has reached an Oregon Health Authority goal of getting at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine into 70% of eligible adults.
“With new guidance from the Oregon Health Authority and the lifting of county risk levels, we are excited to expand entry to the Capitol today to include members of the public,” Kotek and Courtney said Monday in a joint statement.
The Oregon State Capitol Visitor Services said Monday that the Capitol Store would be open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the next few weeks.
Self-guided tours were allowed immediately, while guided tours will be offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. beginning July 19. Tours of the Capitol tower won’t return until 2022.
Visitors will not be able to see the Senate and House chambers, which are undergoing renovations through the end of the year. The main entrance and rear entrance will be closed at time for the refurbishing work.
