Lincoln County’s move into Phase Two of Gov. Kate Brown’s re-opening plan has been delayed until after Labor Day.
County Commissioners earlier this month asked the Oregon Health Authority for permission to move into Phase Two on August 24. While Lincoln County emerged as a hotspot for COVID-19 in late spring, the surge in new cases had eased by late July and the county was removed from a state watch list.
All but seven Oregon counties are already in Phase Two, which allows more types of businesses to open and eases some other workplace restrictions.
Lincoln County Board Chair Kaety Jacobson said during a brief public meeting Thursday that she was notified by a text message from the Oregon Health Authority director Pat Allen that the county would not be allowed to move into Phase Two until at least September 8. She said the county would have to meet several public health metrics in order to advance, although the OHA didn't immediately tell the county what those metrics are.
Regardless of what benchmarks the county will have to meet, "it is obvious that our date has been pushed back," said Jacobson. "I think it's important that businesses and others know that we will not be opening to Phase Two on Monday."
