Lane County has been approved to begin the first of three phases in the plan for re-opening Oregon. New guidance for certain businesses and some relaxed restrictions will go into effect Friday, May 15th. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reports.
Phase 1 is not a return to normal. It’s more like a slight change to stay-at-home orders. Small gatherings will be allowed. Restaurants, personal service providers, malls and gyms will be able to operate under guidelines set by the state.
Lane County Commission Chair Heather Buch says keeping people safe must remain the highest priority.
“We will continue, as the county’s public health authority, to respond to COVID-19, while at the same time we will begin our efforts to increase a focus on supporting recovery,” Buch said. “Including economic recovery and recovery of our vulnerable populations.
At least 21 days must pass before a request can be made to move to Phase 2. Along the way, the county must demonstrate a decrease in cases, enough personal protective equipment for first responders, contact tracing resources and sufficient testing capacity to track the virus.
