Due to the increasing COVID-19 numbers, Governor Brown announced today that fifteen counties will move to the “extreme risk” level starting Friday, April 30th through Thursday, May 6th.
The following fifteen counties to move into the "extreme risk" category are: Baker; Clackamas; Columbia; Crook; Deschutes; Grant; Jackson; Josephine; Klamath; Lane; Linn; Marion; Multnomah; Polk; and Wasco.
Additionally, nine counties will be in the High Risk level, four at Moderate Risk, and eight at Lower Risk. A complete list of counties and their risk levels is available here. For a detailed list of county-specific restrictions, click here.
For the fifteen “extreme risk” counties, it is important to note that employers are required to utilize telework and work-at-home “to the maximum extent possible” and close offices to the public. In “extreme risk” counties, indoor dining is also prohibited, and outdoor capacity limits for bars, restaurants, and other sectors will be limited to 100 people (prior limit was 50) as long as health and safety measures, including physical distancing, are in place.
As a reminder, Oregon’s County Risk Level framework examines each county’s risk level and then risk levels are determined and reassigned. Formerly, the risk levels were evaluated every two weeks. However, Governor Brown stated that in an effort to speed up the return to normal business operations, county COVID-19 data will be evaluated weekly for at least the next three weeks. Moreover, any updates to these risk levels will be announced on next Tuesday, May 4th, and the levels will take effect on Friday, May 7th.
Cascade will continue to monitor this and we will keep you updated when significant new measures are released. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!