On Thursday, the Democratic Government of Oregon, Kate Brown, extended its state of emergency to March, arguing “these are the darkest days of this pandemic.”
The statement, which provides the legal basis for Brown to issue executive orders banning business operations and closing schools, was set to expire on January 2, but has now been extended by 60 days, ending March 3.
Brown cited an ongoing wave of positive coronavirus cases in the state as the reason behind the extension.
“As we approach nearly 100,000 cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, and with the utmost of hospitals and health workers, there is no doubt that COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to public health,” Brown said in a press release. “We are still losing too many Oregonians to this deadly disease, including more than 100 reported deaths in the past two days.”
“These are the darkest days of this pandemic,” she added, even though she acknowledged that “hope has come” in the form of an approved vaccine.
“Starting this week, every time another Oregonian is vaccinated against COVID-19, we are one step closer to the day when we can live normally again. In the meantime, we have to stay on our guard,” she said. “Protect your friends and loved ones by continuing to follow health and safety protocols. Wear a face cover, avoid gatherings, stay home when you are sick and together we can fight COVID-19 infections and save lives.”
Brown’s lockdown orders impose varying levels of restrictions on residents depending on their country’s placement in the state’s four-tier risk-based framework. According to KGW-TV, effective through December 31, there are 29 counties with an extreme risk level, one county with a moderate risk and six counties with a lower risk. “
In provinces of extreme risk, social gatherings of more than six people are prohibited, eating indoors is prohibited, and indoor recreation and entertainment areas are mandated closed. Shops must also limit capacity to 50%, while religious institutions must limit capacity to 25%.
On the same day as the statewide extension, officials in Multnomah County – the state’s largest county and home to Portland – extended the local state of emergency declaration for six months, putting the order in effect through July.