By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau
Face masks must be worn outdoors when social distancing is not possible and private gatherings must be limited to no more than 10 people, Gov. Kate Brown announced Monday.
The new rules to fight the COVID-19 pandemic go into effect Wednesday, expanding the governor’s directive last week that face masks be worn at indoor public places.
Just three days ago, state officials asked people to voluntarily limit indoor get togethers to no more than 10 because a growing number of cases were tied to exercise classes, fraternities, and bachelor or bachelorette parties.
“We reported more cases in the last week than we did in the entire month of May,” Brown said Monday. “Half of all cases are from people under the age of 40 and one-third of all cases are from people under the age of 30.”
The new limit on indoor gatherings does not apply to houses of worship and businesses.
But in keeping with her long-standing policy, Brown said that she was relying on public cooperation rather than any enforcement of the additional rules.
“I am not going to set up the party police,” Brown said.
Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state’s top epidemiologist, said at the same press briefing that the state was on pace to triple the number of new daily COVID-19 cases within the next six weeks. That would mean more than 1,000 cases per day by the Labor Day weekend.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 280 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the state total to 12,438. Three more deaths were reported – one each in Umatilla, Marion and Clackamas County – bringing the state total to 237 dead from the virus.
Nationwide, about 3.35 million people in the United States have been infected with the coronavirus and at least 135,100 have died as of Monday, according to a New York Times database.
Brown said she believed most Oregonians were following the face covering, social distancing and enhanced hygiene efforts that health officials advocate. She called those who willingly ignore the efforts “outliers.”
“We are at risk of COVID-19 getting out of control in Oregon,” Brown said. “Each of us needs to take immediate action to slow the spread of this disease.”
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will continue to inspect businesses and can issue citations.
Brown said she did not know how many citations resulted from enforcement efforts over the July 4 weekend, when 800 were inspected for compliance.
Oregon’s actions came as neighboring California stepped-up its response to a major spike in COVID-19 cases by reversing many “reopening” measures. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a renewed ban on indoor dining, closed bars, and entertainment venues such as museum and zoos. He also ordered 30 counties — including Los Angeles — to close malls, gyms, hair and nail salons and many other businesses.
- The Oregon Capital Bureau in Salem is staffed by reporters from EO Media and Pamplin Media Group and provides state government and political news to their newspapers and media around Oregon, including YachatsNews.com
