May 6, 2020

ByAnnette Powers

Today additional requirements and changes were presented from the Governor’s office regarding benchmarks that must be met in the County reopening plans. Additional changes are also expected tomorrow and Friday. Union and Wallowa Counties continue to work diligently to prepare reopening plans that will meet Governor’s approval. The Governor’s benchmarks for reopening are rapidly changing, making it difficult to satisfy requirements.

There have been many questions circulating regarding which businesses are allowed to currently be open. Governor Kate Brown’s statewide Executive Order 20-12 has provided a list of allowed and not allowed businesses and activities.
The order may be read in entirety here: https://www.oregon.gov/…/Docu…/executive_orders/eo_20-12.pdf. There are several business categories listed at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19 that the state is prohibiting from opening through Executive Order. In order for those business to open in compliance with the Governor’s order, the “State Home, Stay Safe” order will have to be rescinded or amended. Some of those businesses include:
• Art Galleries
• Barber Shops and Hair Salons
• Dance Studios
• Dine-in Restaurants and Bars
• Esthetician practices
• Fraternal Organization Facilities
• Gyms, Fitness Studios, Health Clubs, Exercise Studios
• Boutiques and Jewelry Shops (Unless they provide good exclusively through pick-up or delivery service)
• Medical spas, Facial spas, day spas, non-medical massage therapy services
• Nail and Tanning Salons
• Senior Activity Centers
• Tattoo/piercing parlors
• Theaters
• Yoga Studios

This list is not all inclusive. Additional details are available at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19. If your business type is not listed above, the site also contains a three-question quiz if you remain uncertain as to whether your business is allowed to be open.

Baker County Public Health announced their first COVID-19 case today. Union County remains at four confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which three have been classified by Oregon Health Authority as recovered. Wallowa County remains with one confirmed case, who has been classified as recovered. Oregon Health Authority is reporting a total of 2,916 confirmed and presumptive cases, and 115 deaths statewide.

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