Oregon Will Lift Most Restrictions When 70% Of State Has 1st COVID-19 Vaccine Dose

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced on Tuesday the endgame for the state’s county by county COVID-19 risk level restrictions, saying much of the economy can reopen statewide when 70% of eligible people 16 and older have received their first vaccine dose.

It’s a reversal for both the state and the governor. While cases have fallen steeply this spring in most parts of the country, earlier this month, Oregon and Washington were hit with a fourth surge of cases and hospitalizations, prompting Brown to announce a one-week indoor dining shutdown in 15 counties.

The rollout of Oregon’s reopening plan, and vaccination target, comes as vaccination rates have begun to slow nationwide.

Brown said she believes the state can hit the 70% target in June; to date, about 60 % of eligible adults in Oregon have received at least their first dose. President Joe Biden has said he wants 70% of adults nationwide to have their first by July 4.

“Our hospitalization rates have stabilized. Our infection rates are on a downward trajectory. And in the race between vaccines and variants, our efforts to vaccinate Oregonians are taking the lead,” Brown said in a written statement. “We still have some work to do to reach our 70% goal, but I am confident we can get there in June and return Oregon to a sense of normalcy.”

The reopening plan, shared in advance of a press conference on Tuesday, is missing some detail and comes with two significant caveats: The state will still require people to wear masks and maintain six feet of distance from others in some settings.

All other health and safety requirements for counties under the risk level framework that has dictated public life in Oregon for months will be lifted, and counties will no longer be assigned risk levels.

Even before those risk levels go away entirely, starting May 21 counties can move to the lower risk category — which has the least restrictions on businesses and gatherings — if they meet several new criteria.

They have to reach 65% of people 16 and older with a first vaccine dose, and submit a plan to the Oregon Health Authority on how they will “close the equity gaps in their vaccination efforts.” Benton and Hood River counties have just passed the threshold (65.5% and 65.1% respectively). Lincoln, Multnomah, Deschutes, and Washington County all have over 60% of their eligible population vaccinated.

This story will be updated.

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