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Documenting Oregon's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Oregon coronavirus coverage
Debate in Oregon
Oregon government responses
School reopenings in Oregon
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Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
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Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Oregon's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

August 2021

  • August 5: On Aug. 4, Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that healthcare workers would be required to receive a coronavirus vaccination or be tested weekly for the coronavirus.
  • August 3: On July 29, Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that masks would be required indoors at K-12 public schools in the state.

June 2021

  • June 30: On June 30, the statewide mask mandate, distancing requirements, and capacity restrictions ended in Oregon. Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed the executive order lifting these restrictions on June 25.
  • June 28: Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed an executive order on June 25 that says the state will end mask and distancing requirements, and lift capacity restrictions, when 70% of adults have received one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
  • June 23: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced the final county Risk Level list that will take effect June 25 until the state reaches a 70% first-dose vaccination rate for residents 18 and older. When 70% of adults receive at least one dose of a vaccine, the risk level framework will end. Effective June 25, six counties will be in the state’s High Risk level, seven will be at Moderate Risk, and 23 will have Lower Risk restrictions. During the current period from June 18-25, nine counties are in the state’s High Risk level, five are at Moderate Risk, and 22 have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • June 9: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective June 11, 11 counties will be in the state’s High Risk level, four will be at Moderate Risk, and 21 will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from June 4 -10, 13 counties are in the state’s High Risk level, four are at Moderate Risk, and 19 have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • June 7: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced most coronavirus restrictions (including the Risk Level framework, statewide mask requirement, and social distancing restrictions) will end once 70% of adult residents 18 and older receive at least their first dose of a vaccine. At the time of the announcement, 66.2% of adults had received at least one dose.

May 2021

  • May 17: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most indoor public settings.
  • May 14: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in most public indoor settings.
  • May 12:
    • Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Risk Level restrictions will end once 70% of residents 16 and older statewide receive at least one dose of a vaccine. Masks and social distancing will still be required, but all other health requirements will be lifted.
    • Brown also said counties can move to Lower Risk restrictions starting May 21 if at least 65% of county residents 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose and they “submit a complete plan to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) which details how the county will close the equity gaps in their vaccination efforts.”
  • May 5: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective May 7, 24 counties will be in the state’s High Risk level, four will be at Moderate Risk, and eight will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from April 30 - May 6, 23 counties are in the state’s High Risk level, three are at Moderate Risk, and 10 have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.

April 2021

  • April 30: Gov. Kate Brown (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order through June 28.
  • April 28: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced the state will update county risk levels on April 30—a week ahead of the previously scheduled update on May 6. Effective April 30 - May 6, 15 counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, nine counties will be at High Risk, four will be at Moderate Risk, and eight will have Lower Risk restrictions. Currently, 23 counties are in the state’s High Risk level, three are at Moderate Risk, and 10 have Lower Risk restrictions. No counties are currently in the Extreme Risk category. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • April 21: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective April 23 - May 6, 23 counties will be in the state’s High Risk level, three will be at Moderate Risk, and 10 will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from April 9-22, 14 counties are in the state’s High Risk level, six are at Moderate Risk, and 16 have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • April 19:
    • All residents 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination starting April 19.
    • Oregon public schools must open for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction for grades 6-12 by April 19. Gov. Kate Brown (D) issued the requirement on March 12. Previously, elementary schools had to reopen no later than March 29 for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction.
  • April 7:
    • Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced all residents 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination starting April 19.
    • Brown also announced that effective April 9-22, 14 counties will be in the state’s High Risk level, six will be at Moderate Risk, and 16 will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from March 26 - April 8, two counties are in the state’s Extreme Risk level, six are at High Risk, 14 are at Moderate Risk, and 14 have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • April 5: On April 2, Oregon expanded vaccine eligibility to include all family members of frontline workers and any resident with a condition on the CDC’s expanded list of underlying health conditions.

March 2021

  • March 29:
    • All counties can start vaccinating people in Phase 1B, Group 6, on March 29. Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced people in Phase 1B, Group 7, will be eligible for vaccinations starting April 5. Previously, Phase 1B, Group 7, was not scheduled to become eligible until April 19. On May 1, everyone age 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination.
    • Public elementary schools must reopen no later than March 29 for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction. Parents can still keep their children in fully remote instruction.
  • March 24: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective March 26 - April 8, two counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, six will be at High Risk, 14 will be at Moderate Risk, and 14 will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from March 12-25, two counties are in the state’s Extreme Risk level, nine are at High Risk, 12 are at Moderate Risk, and 13 have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • March 22: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced all counties can start vaccinating people in Phase 1B, Group 6, starting March 29. People in Phase 1B, Group 7, will be eligible for vaccinations starting April 19. On May 1, everyone age 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination.
  • March 15: Gov. Kate Brown (D) issued an executive order requiring public elementary schools to reopen no later than March 29 for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction. The order also requires public schools to open for grades 6-12 by April 19. Parents can still keep their children in fully remote instruction.
  • March 10: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective March 12-25, two counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, nine will be at High Risk, 12 will be at Moderate Risk, and 13 will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from Feb. 26 - March 11, five counties are in the state’s Extreme Risk level, 11 are at High Risk, 10 are at Moderate Risk, and 10 have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • March 8: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced she will issue an executive order requiring public elementary schools to reopen no later than March 29 for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction. The order will also require public schools to open for grades 6-12 by April 19. Parents can still keep their children in fully remote instruction.
  • March 5: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced counties that move from the Extreme Risk tier to a lower (less restrictive) risk level for a two-week period will not be moved back to Extreme Risk if their cases increase during the period. If a county remains at Extreme Risk transmission rates for consecutive two-week periods, the state will reimpose Extreme Risk restrictions.
  • March 1: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Phase 1b will continue in two more waves. On March 29, people aged 45 to 64 with health conditions on the CDC’s list of comorbidities, homeless people, and certain frontline workers (including food processing and agricultural workers) will be eligible for vaccination. No later than May 1, people aged 16 to 45 with underlying health conditions, all other frontline workers, and members of multigenerational households will be eligible. Phase 2, which includes all adults aged 45-64, will begin no later than June 1. Everyone 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination by July 1.

February 2021

  • February 26: Gov. Kate Brown (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order until May 2.
  • February 24: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective Feb. 26 - March 11, five counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, 11 will be at High Risk, 10 will be at Moderate Risk, and 10 will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from Feb. 12-25, 14 counties are in the state’s Extreme Risk level, 11 are at High Risk, three are at Moderate Risk, and eight have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • February 22: Individuals age 70 and older are eligible to receive vaccinations starting Feb. 22. Previously, anyone age 75 and older could schedule an appointment.
  • February 10: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective Feb. 12-25, 14 counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, 11 will be at High Risk, three will be at Moderate Risk, and eight will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from Jan. 29 - Feb. 11, 25 counties are in the state’s Extreme Risk level, two are at High Risk, two are at Moderate Risk, and seven have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • February 8: Individuals age 80 and older are eligible for the vaccine starting Feb. 8. Previously, vaccines were only available for school staff and individuals in Phase 1A.

January 2021

  • January 27: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective Jan. 29 - Feb. 11, 25 counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, two will be at High Risk, two will be at Moderate Risk, and seven will have Lower Risk restrictions. In the current period from Jan. 15-28, 26 counties are in the state’s Extreme Risk level, two are at High Risk, two are at Moderate Risk, and six have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • January 25: On Jan. 23, the state started the next phase of vaccine distribution, which includes individuals age 65 and older, childcare workers, and school staff.
  • January 13:
    • Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective Jan. 15-28, 26 counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, two will be at High Risk, two will be at Moderate Risk, and six will have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
    • Brown also announced individuals age 65 and older will be included in the next phase of the state’s vaccine distribution plan, starting Jan. 23, along with childcare workers and school staff.
  • January 4: Gov. Kate Brown (D) changed the Jan. 1-14 risk level classification for Baker County to High Risk. Brown earlier said Baker County would be in the Extreme Risk category. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here. The state’s school reopening metrics, which determine when schools may open, became advisory instead of mandatory on Jan. 1.

December 2020

  • December 30: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that effective Jan. 1-14, 24 counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, five will be at High Risk, and seven counties will have Lower Risk restrictions. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here. Brown also announced the state’s school reopening metrics, which determine when schools may open, will be advisory instead of mandatory starting Jan. 1, 2021.
  • December 18: Gov. Kate Brown (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order through March 3, 2021.
  • December 16: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced 29 counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, one will be at Moderate Risk, and six counties will have Lower Risk restrictions, effective Dec. 18-31. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
  • December 3: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced the state’s risk tiers had been updated to include 25 counties at Extreme Risk, five at High Risk, two at Moderate Risk, and four at Lower Risk, effective Dec. 3-27.

November 2020

  • November 30: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced a four-tier framework for reopening from the Nov. 18 statewide freeze based on state-defined risk levels. The Extreme Risk (most restrictive) category will allow outdoor dining, permit gatherings of up to 6 people, and limit religious services to the lesser of 25% capacity or 100 people. The Lower Risk (least restrictive) phase will allow gatherings of up to 10 people, permit indoor restaurant dining at 50% capacity, and limit religious services to the lesser of 75% capacity or 300 people. The Lower Risk phase will also allow indoor recreation, fitness, and entertainment establishments (like gyms, indoor pools, theaters, and aquariums) to reopen at 50% capacity. The framework goes into effect Dec. 3.
  • November 18: Gov. Kate Brown (D) issued statewide restrictions effective Nov. 18 through Dec. 2. The order limits restaurants to delivery and curbside pickup services. Social gatherings are limited to six people or less. Gyms and all indoor and outdoor recreational facilities (including zoos, pools, and museums) are closed. Religious services are limited to 25 people indoors or 50 people outdoors. The order does not change restrictions on personal care service businesses like barbershops.
  • November 12: Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) two-week pause on social activity for nine counties took effect Nov. 11-25. Under the restrictions, no indoor nursing home or long-term care facility visits are permitted. Restaurants and other indoor facilities (like gyms, bowling alleys, and museums) are limited to a maximum capacity of 50 people. Social gatherings outside of households are limited to six people.
  • November 3: The Oregon Department of Education released updated school reopening guidance. Under the new rules, schools in counties with less than 50 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days can resume full-time, in-person learning. Previously, the state only allowed full-time, in-person schedules in counties with 10 or fewer new cases per 100,000 residents each week over a three-week rolling average.

October 2020

  • October 30: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Multnomah County was added to the state’s County Watch List.
  • October 21: The Oregon Health Authority released expanded face-covering guidance, effective Oct. 19. Under the rules, employers are required to provide free masks or face shields to employees if the business has indoor or outdoor public spaces. Individuals have to wear face coverings in all workplace settings unless they are alone in an office or isolated workspace. Masks are also required at outdoor street fairs and markets, and at private and public universities.
  • October 16: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Lane County was added to the state’s County Watch List.
  • October 12: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Umatilla County was added to the state’s County Watch List.
  • October 5: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Benton and Clatsop counties were added to the state’s watchlist. The Oregon Department of Education also announced the state will disregard positivity rate data from September in determining whether school districts are allowed to reopen. School districts can now open for in-person instruction if their counties meet the state’s case count criteria.

September 2020

  • September 29: Lincoln County is moving to Phase 2 of reopening starting on Sept. 29.
  • September 21: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Umatilla and Morrow counties were removed from the County Watch List. Brown also said Morrow County was approved for Phase 2 of reopening, effective Sept. 18.
  • September 16: During the week of Sept. 6 to Sept. 12, Oregon’s positivity rate was 5.6%. In order for schools to reopen for in-person instruction, the state has to maintain a positivity rate of 5% or less for at least three consecutive weeks.
  • September 14: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Jackson and Jefferson counties were removed from the County Watch List. Brown also said Umatilla County was allowed to move into Phase 2 starting Sept. 11.
  • September 4: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Baker County has been removed from the County Watch List.
  • September 1: On Sept. 1, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) announced he would ease some coronavirus restrictions as part of a new phase of reopening, dubbed Phase 2.5, which goes into effect on Sept. 4. Under Phase 2.5, the limit on gatherings will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Museums and aquariums can reopen at 50% capacity. Gyms and indoor exercise facilities can reopen at 30% capacity. Several restrictions, like the ban on bars and movie theaters, will remain in effect.

August 2020

  • August 28: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Hood River and Multnomah counties reduced the spread of the coronavirus and have been removed from the County Watch List.
  • August 21: Umatilla County is moving from Baseline Stay Home status and re-entering Phase 1 of the state’s reopening plan on Aug. 21. Gov. Kate Brown (D) also announced Marion and Wasco counties were removed from the state’s Watch List while Jackson County was added.
  • August 17: Malheur County in eastern Oregon moved from Phase 2 to Phase 1 on Aug. 17 by an executive order from Gov. Kate Brown (D). Malheur County is the third county Brown has returned to a previous phase due to a rise in coronavirus cases.
  • August 12: The Oregon Department of Education released updated school reopening guidelines on Aug. 11 that allow schools to reopen to in-person instruction if the school has 250 students or fewer, is in a county with fewer than 30,000 residents, and if the county has reported no more than 30 COVID-19 cases in the past three weeks.
  • August 7: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that she would issue an executive order mandating face coverings for people working in offices. Brown said she would issue the order and provide more details in a week or more.
  • August 7: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced on Aug. 6 that Lake County had been removed from the state’s County Watch List. Counties on the Watch List receive heightened attention and greater resources from the Oregon Health Authority. Nine counties remain on the list.

July 2020

  • July 29: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced the metrics that will guide school reopening decisions. Counties must have 10 or fewer coronavirus cases per 100,000 people and a 7-day positivity rate of 5% or less for three consecutive weeks before in-person and hybrid instruction can resume. The state also must have a positivity rate of 5% or less for three consecutive weeks before any in-person or hybrid instruction can resume.
  • July 24: Effective July 24, the state’s mask requirement applies to every person five years of age or older. Bars and restaurants also have to stop serving customers at 10 p.m. every night. The state also released draft guidance for early learning and childcare programs.
  • July 15: The state is expanding its face-covering mandate to require masks in outdoor public spaces when six-foot distancing cannot be maintained starting July 15.
  • July 7: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced eight counties were on a COVID-19 watchlist. She said if the counties did not experience a downturn in coronavirus numbers, businesses might have to reclose and the state would impose more restrictive gathering limits.
  • July 1: Face coverings in indoor public spaces are required statewide, effective July 1. Face coverings have been required in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Marion, Polk, Hood River, and Lincoln counties since June 24.

June 2020

  • June 24: Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) mandatory mask order is taking effect in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Hood River, Marion, Polk, and Lincoln counties on June 24. It requires individuals to wear face coverings at public indoor spaces (like grocery stores).
  • June 19: Multnomah became the final county to enter the first phase of reopening on June 19, making Oregon the 39th state to lift a statewide stay-at-home order. Marion, Polk, and Hood River counties entered Phase Two.
  • June 16: The Oregon Supreme Court upheld Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) lockdown orders. The decision overturned Baker County Circuit Judge Matt Shirtcliff’s ruling, which blocked the enforcement of the executive orders issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • June 12: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced she was pausing all county applications to reopen for one week due to increased numbers of coronavirus infections. The pause included Multnomah County’s application to move into Phase One.
  • June 10: The state released guidelines for schools to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. Under the plan, individual public and private schools will need to submit an Operational Blueprint for Reentry to their local public health authority before they reopen.
  • June 8: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Deschutes, Jefferson, and Umatilla counties could enter the second phase of the state’s reopening plan starting June 6. Phase Two allows recreational sports and businesses like movie theaters, bowling alleys, and pools to begin reopening.
  • June 5: Gov. Kate Brown announced 26 counties that have been approved to enter the second phase of the state’s reopening plan. Twenty-five of the counties are reopening on June 5 or 6, while Tillamook County will open on June 8. Phase Two allows recreational sports and businesses like movie theaters, bowling alleys, and pools to begin reopening.
  • June 4: On June 4, Gov. Kate Brown is announcing a list of counties that have been approved to enter the second phase of the state’s reopening plan. Phase Two will allow recreational sports and businesses like movie theaters, bowling alleys, and pools to begin reopening.
  • June 1: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced the criteria that counties will need to meet to enter Phase 2 of reopening. Official guidance is not available regarding the industries and activities that will be able to resume in the second phase.

May 2020

  • May 26: On May 23, Clackamas County joined 33 other counties in Phase 1 of reopening. In Phase 1, gathering sizes are limited to 25, and restaurants and bars can open for dine-in. Retailers, malls, personal service businesses (like hairdressers and salons), and fitness centers can also reopen, contingent on their compliance with state guidelines.
  • May 22: Marion and Polk counties joined 31 other counties in the first phase of reopening. In Phase 1, gathering sizes are limited to 25, and restaurants and bars can open for dine-in. Retailers, malls, personal service businesses (like hairdressers and salons), and fitness centers can also reopen, contingent on their compliance with state guidelines.
  • May 19: On May 18, the Oregon Supreme Court stayed a lower court ruling that overturned the state's stay-at-home order until it could review the case. Earlier in the day, Baker County Circuit Judge Matt Shirtcliff issued a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of the state’s stay-at-home order and other executive orders issued by Gov. Kate Brown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Shirtcliff concluded state law only authorized Brown’s restrictions on individuals, businesses, and houses of worship for a maximum of 28 days without input from the legislature. Ten churches sued Brown’s restrictions preventing them from gathering. Shirtcliff said the restrictions on places of worship weren't necessary for public safety because congregants could engage in social distancing.
  • May 15: Gov. Kate Brown announced that 31 counties would be able to enter Phase 1 of reopening on May 15. The first phase of the plan allows restaurants and bars to open for dine-in. It allows permitted retailers and malls, personal service businesses like hairdressers and salons, and fitness centers to reopen, contingent on their compliance with state guidelines. Brown also said that stand-alone retail stores would be able to open for limited business statewide.
  • May 7: In a Thursday press conference, Gov. Kate Brown (D) released details on a three-phase reopening plan centered on counties. Counties will need to meet prerequisites related to testing, tracing, and declining COVID-19 prevalence to move between phases, and will need to remain in the first phase for a minimum of 21 days before potentially moving to the next. Counties with low COVID-19 infection rates can begin applying on May 8 to enter the first phase of the reopening process, which will start no earlier than May 15. According to the plan, stand-alone retail businesses across the state, such as furniture stores and boutiques, can reopen with limitations on May 15.
  • May 6: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that eight state parks reopened on May 6.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Oregon Health Authority released an original distribution plan on October 26, 2020. The plan was updated on November 6, 2020.

Quick facts

Oregon state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Oregon’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Vaccine Sequencing Information
Where can I find the distribution plan? Oregon COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 26, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? November 6, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus vaccine in my state? Oregon Vaccinations by Day
Where is the state health department's homepage? Oregon Health Authority
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Oregon - AARP

Timeline

  • April 19, 2021: Oregon residents 16 and older became eligible for vaccination.[2]
  • April 6, 2021: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced all residents 16 and older would be eligible for vaccination starting April 19.[3]
  • April 2, 2021: Oregon expanded vaccine eligibility to include all family members of frontline workers and any resident with a condition on the CDC’s expanded list of underlying health conditions.[4]
  • March 29, 2021: Oregon counties started vaccinating people in Phase 1B. Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced people in Phase 1B, Group 7, would be eligible for vaccinations starting April 5. Previously, Phase 1B, Group 7, was not scheduled to become eligible until April 19.[5]
  • March 19, 2021: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced all counties could start vaccinating people in Phase 1B, Group 6, starting March 29. People in Phase 1B, Group 7, were scheduled to become eligible for vaccinations starting April 19. On May 1, everyone age 16 and older was scheduled to become eligible for vaccination.[6]
  • February 26, 2021: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Phase 1B would continue in two additional waves. On March 29, people aged 45 to 64 with health conditions on the CDC’s list of comorbidities, homeless people, and certain frontline workers (including food processing and agricultural workers) were scheduled to become eligible for vaccination. No later than May 1, people aged 16 to 45 with underlying health conditions, all other frontline workers, and members of multigenerational households were scheduled to become eligible. Phase 2, including all adults aged 45-64, was scheduled to begin no later than June 1. Everyone 16 and older was scheduled for vaccination by July 1.[7]
  • February 22, 2021: In Oregon, individuals age 70 and older became eligible to receive vaccinations. Previously, anyone age 75 and older could schedule an appointment.[8]
  • February 8, 2021: In Oregon, individuals age 80 and older became eligible for the vaccine. Previously, vaccines were only available for school staff and individuals in Phase 1A.[9]
  • January 23, 2021: On Jan. 23, Oregon started the next phase of vaccine distribution, including individuals age 65 and older, childcare workers, and school staff.[10]
  • January 12, 2021: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced individuals age 65 and older would be included in the state’s vaccine distribution plan starting Jan. 23, along with childcare workers and school staff.[11]

School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Oregon to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Oregon were closed to in-person instruction on March 16, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported a majority of schools were in-person in Oregon .[12][13]
  • April 19, 2021: Oregon public schools had to open for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction for grades 6-12 by April 19. Gov. Kate Brown (D) issued the requirement on March 12.[2]
  • March 29, 2021: Oregon public elementary schools had to reopen no later than March 29 for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction. Parents could still keep their children in fully remote instruction.[5]
  • March 12, 2021: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) issued an executive order requiring public elementary schools to reopen no later than March 29 for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction. The order also required public schools to open for grades 6-12 by April 19. Parents could still keep their children in fully remote instruction.[14]
  • March 5, 2021: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced she would issue an executive order requiring public elementary schools to reopen no later than March 29 for hybrid or full-time in-person instruction. The order was also scheduled to require public schools to open for grades 6-12 by April 19. She said parents could still keep their children in fully remote instruction.[15]
  • January 1, 2021: Oregon's school reopening metrics, which determined when schools could open, became advisory instead of mandatory.[16]
  • October 30, 2020: The Oregon Department of Education released updated school reopening guidance. Under the rules, schools in counties with less than 50 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days could resume full-time, in-person learning. Previously, the state only allowed full-time, in-person schedules in counties with 10 or fewer new cases per 100,000 residents each week over a three-week rolling average.[17]
  • October 6, 2020: The Oregon Department of Education announced the state would disregard positivity rate data from September in determining whether school districts could reopen. The announcement meant school districts could reopen for in-person instruction if their counties met the state’s case count criteria until October positivity data was available.[18]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were using virtual or hybrid learning in Oregon .[19][20]
  • August 11, 2020: The Oregon Department of Education released updated school reopening guidelines that allowed schools to reopen to in-person instruction if the school had 250 students or fewer, was in a county with fewer than 30,000 residents, and if the county had reported no more than 30 COVID-19 cases in the past three weeks.[21]
  • July 28, 2020: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced the metrics that would guide school reopening decisions. Counties needed to have 10 or fewer coronavirus cases per 100,000 people and a 7-day positivity rate of 5% or less for three consecutive weeks before in-person and hybrid instruction could resume. The state also needed to have a positivity rate of 5% or less for three consecutive weeks before any in-person or hybrid instruction could resume.[22]
  • June 10, 2020: The Oregon Department of Education released guidelines for schools to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. Under the plan, individual public and private schools would need to submit an Operational Blueprint for Reentry to their local public health authority before they reopened.[23]


  • April 8, 2020: Brown closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through April 28.[24]
  • March 17, 2020: Brown announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end March 31, was extended to April 28.[25]
  • March 12, 2020: Brown announced that schools across the state would close from March 16 through March 31.[14]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Oregon have restrictions on travel? No. Governor Kate Brown (D), along with Washington and California Govs. Jay Inslee (D) and Gavin Newsom (D), issued an advisory asking travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state. The advisory asked residents to limit non-essential travel.[26]

More information can be found at Travel Oregon.

Timeline

  • November 13, 2020: Govs. Jay Inslee (D-Wa.), Kate Brown (D-Ore.), and Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) issued travel advisories asking out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. They also asked residents to limit non-essential travel.[27]


Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Oregon implemented a statewide mask requirement on July 1. On July 24, the order was updated to require all people five years of age and older to wear masks in indoor public spaces and outdoors when 6-feet social distancing could not be maintained.

On October 19, 2020, the Oregon Health Authority released expanded face-covering guidance requiring employers to provide free masks or face shields to employees at businesses with indoor or outdoor public spaces. The guidance also required individuals to wear face coverings in all workplace settings unless they were alone in an office or isolated workspace, at outdoor street fairs and markets, and at private and public universities.

On May 13, 2021, Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced fully vaccinated individuals did not have to wear masks in most indoor public settings.

On June 30, 2021, Brown ended the statewide mask mandate.[28]

On Aug. 11, 2021, Brown announced a new statewide public indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals would take effect on Aug. 13.[21]

On Aug. 24, Brown announced a statewide public outdoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals would take effect on Aug. 27.[29] On Nov. 23, the requirement was lifted.[30]

On Feb. 7, the Oregon Health Authority announced it would lift the statewide indoor mask requirement by March 31.[31] On Feb. 24, the Oregon Health Authority announced it would end the mask requirement on March 19.[32] On Feb. 28, Brown announced the statewide mask requirement would end on March 12.[33]


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Don't Shoot Portland v. Portland: On June 9, 2020, Judge Marco A. Hernandez, of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, issued a temporary restraining order limiting the use of tear gas as a crowd control method in Portland, Oregon. The plaintiffs, a group named Don’t Shoot Portland, alleged that the city had violated their rights to free speech and freedom from excessive force under the First and Fourth Amendments, respectively, by using tear gas to disperse their protests. Hernandez agreed, writing, "[Given] the effects of tear gas," which is "specifically designed to irritate the respiratory system and to cause people to expel mucus and aspirated saliva," a principal method of COVID-19 transmission, "Plaintiffs have established a strong likelihood that Defendant engaged in excessive force contrary to the Fourth Amendment." He added that the plaintiffs had presented "at least a serious question as to whether they have been deprived of their First Amendment rights." The judge noted that his order did not bar the use of tear gas altogether, but instead limited use "to situations in which the lives or safety of the public or the police are at risk." As of June 16, 2020, the city had not indicated whether it intended to appeal the decision.[34]

Graham v. Brown: On July 8, 2020, the owner of a beauty salon in Salem, Oregon, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, alleging that Gov. Kate Brown (D) and other state officials and agencies had violated her constitutional rights by temporarily shutting down her salon. In her complaint, salon owner Lindsey Graham argued that Brown’s Executive Order 20-12, which required salons like Graham’s to cease operations immediately and indefinitely, violated her constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection. Additionally, Graham alleged that various state actors "engaged in a course of conduct intended to harass, intimidate, extort, and bully" Graham for exercising her First Amendment rights to speech and protest after challenging the logic behind, and authority to impose, COVID-19 restrictions. Neither Brown nor her office had commented publicly on the suit as of July 29, 2020.[35]

Linthicum v. Brown: On October 16, 2020, three Oregon state lawmakers and a local businessman filed suit in Multnomah County Circuit Court against Gov. Kate Brown (D), claiming that she had overstepped her authority by issuing stay-at-home orders and restricting business activity. The plaintiffs – state Reps. Werner Reschke (R) and Mike Nearman (R), state Sen. Dennis Linthicum (R), and Washington County businessman Neil Ruggles – argued that Brown had "arrogated unto herself legislative powers of sweeping scope to reorder social life and destroy the livelihoods of residents across the state, which powers are reserved exclusively for the Legislative Assembly by the Oregon Constitution." The plaintiffs sought an injunction blocking Brown’s state-of-emergency declaration and any rules emanating from it, as well as a declaratory judgment settling their state constitutional claims. In response, Charles Boyle, a spokesman for Brown, said, "The governor is focused on implementing measures to keep Oregonians healthy and safe, based on the advice of doctors and health experts and what the data shows will limit the spread of Covid-19."[36][37]

Oregon Fraternal Order of Police v. Brown: On October 7, 2021, a judge declined to suspend Oregon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for certain state employees. At issue was Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) Executive Order No. 21-29, which mandated that all employees of the executive branch submit either proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a written request for exemption on or before October 18, 2021, or face termination. In their complaint, a group of Oregon State Troopers, together with police and firefighter associations, argued that the mandate violated "the Oregon Constitution’s guarantee of free expression and conflict[ed] with the United States Constitution guarantee of equal protection, free exercise, and due process.” The plaintiffs asked that the court suspend the mandate. In his order, retired Oregon Supreme Court Justice Jack Landau, writing on behalf of the Jefferson County Circuit Court, found that the plaintiffs had not shown any "likelihood of success on the merits under any of the legal theories alleged in their complaint" and were, therefore, not entitled to a temporary restraining order against the mandate. Landau also dismissed the plaintiffs' arguments that emergency action was necessary to prevent irreparable harm. After the ruling, Dan Thenell, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, told reporters that “the plaintiffs [were] assessing their options for moving forward.”[38][39][40]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Mike Nearman Oregon House of Representatives District 23 May 7, 2021 Nearman announced on a radio show on May 7, 2021, that he was sick with COVID-19.[41]


Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR419
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR46
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR42
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR329
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR319
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR226
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR222
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR28
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR123
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR112
  12. ↑ Burbio rated Oregon's in-person index at 63.4. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  13. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 My Oregon News, "Governor Kate Brown Announces Statewide School Closure for Students in Oregon from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31," March 12, 2020
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR35
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR11
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OR115
  18. ↑ Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Oregon relaxes school COVID-19 standards, opens door for more in-person learning," accessed October 6, 2020
  19. ↑ Burbio rated Oregon's in-person index between 0-20. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  20. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 The Bulletin, "New state guidelines make it easier for smaller schools to reopen," August 11, 2020 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "OR811" defined multiple times with different content
  22. ↑ Oregon Health Authority, "Ready Schools, Safe Learners: Community COVID-19 Metrics," accessed July 30, 2020
  23. ↑ Oregon Department of Education, "Ready Schools, Safe Learners," accessed June 11, 2020
  24. ↑ Oregon Live, "Oregon schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year," April 8, 2020
  25. ↑ KDRV, "Governor Brown extends Oregon school closures through April 28," March 17, 2020
  26. ↑ Oregon.gov, "Oregon, California & Washington Issue Travel Advisories," November 13, 2020
  27. ↑ OBP, "West Coast states issue COVID-19 travel advisories," November 13, 2020
  28. ↑ Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Oregon ends mask and social-distancing mandates," June 30, 2021
  29. ↑ Oregon Office of the Governor, "Governor Kate Brown Announces Statewide Outdoor Mask Requirements," August 24, 2021
  30. ↑ The Bulletin, "Oregon has new mask, school and vaccine verification actions to fight COVID-19," November 23, 2021
  31. ↑ Oregon Health Authority, "Oregon will lift indoor mask requirements no later than March 31," February 7, 2022
  32. ↑ Salem Reporter, "UPDATED: Oregon to lift indoor mask mandate March 19, including in schools," Ferbuary 24, 2022
  33. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CA228
  34. ↑ United States District Court for the District of Oregon, "Don't Shoot Portland v. Portland: Order," June 9, 2020
  35. ↑ United States District Court for the District of Oregon, "Graham v. Brown: Complaint," July 8, 2020
  36. ↑ Multnomah County Circuit Court, "Linthicum v. Brown: Complaint," October 16, 2020
  37. ↑ The Oregonian, "Oregon Republicans claim Gov. Kate Brown has abused her emergency authority in new lawsuit," October 17, 2020
  38. ↑ Jefferson County Circuit Court, "Re: Oregon Fraternal Order of Police v. Brown," October 7, 2021
  39. ↑ Jefferson County Circuit Court, "Oregon Fraternal Order of Police v. Brown: Plaintiff's Complaint for Declaratory Judgment," September 3, 2021
  40. ↑ The Oregonian, "Judge won’t halt governor’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate despite Oregon police troopers’ lawsuit," October 7, 2021
  41. ↑ OBP, "GOP lawmaker charged in Oregon Capitol protest has COVID," May 7, 2021
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