Yesterday night, the Oregon Health Authority published a temporary administrative order clarifying the statewide mask mandate effective tomorrow, August 13th.
As a reminder, Governor Brown announced yesterday that starting tomorrow, all individuals in Oregon, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Masks will be required for all individuals five years of age and older. This announcement is in response to a surge of COVID-19 Delta Variant cases throughout the state.
Indoor public spaces is defined as:
- Anywhere indoors, including but not limited to public and private workplaces, businesses, indoor areas open to the public, building lobbies, common or shared spaces, classrooms, elevators, bathrooms, transportation services and other indoor space where people may gather for any purpose. An indoor space does not include a private residence or a private automobile that is not used for ride sharing.
Exceptions. Masks are not required if an individual is:
- Under five (5) years of age; or is under two (2) years of age and using public transportation or in transportation hubs.
- Is sleeping.
- Is actively eating or drinking.
- Is engaged in an activity that makes wearing a mask, face covering or face shield not feasible, such as when actively swimming.
- Is in a private individual workspace.
- Must remove the mask, face covering or face shield briefly because the individual’s identity needs to be confirmed by visual comparison, such as at a bank or if interacting with law enforcement.
- Is practicing or playing a competitive sport at any level.
- Is performing, including but not limited to playing music, delivering a speech to an audience, and theater.
Compliance. An individual responsible for an indoor space must:
- Ensure that employees, contractors, and volunteers comply with this rule within the indoor space.
- Make reasonable efforts to ensure customers, guests, visitors and other individuals comply with this rule within the indoor space.
- Post signs at every entrance to the indoor space that face coverings are required as described in this rule.
It is important to note that employers and businesses open to the public must still make reasonable accommodations for disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs. The order goes on to mention that violations of the mask mandate will result in up to a $500 penalty per day per violation for employer and business noncompliance.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!