Governor Kate Brown ordered Oregonians to stay home Monday and banned all non-essential gatherings and travel to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus after crowds of people descended on the state’s beach towns and hiking trails over the weekend despite pleas to stay home.  The crowds prompted several coastal towns to order non-residents out and shut down hotels and short-term rentals. More than two dozen mayors of cities in the Portland metropolitan area also petitioned Brown over the weekend to take stricter action on social distancing.  Brown said she was particularly upset to see Oregonians flocking to places such as Smith Rock State Park and the Columbia River Gorge.

 

Oregon has had five deaths from COVID-19 and 191 confirmed cases, including 30 new cases which were reported by the Oregon Health Authority, one of which was in Hood River County, which the County’s Public Health Department had confirmed on Sunday.

 

Brown’s order closes businesses where close personal contact is unavoidable, such as arcades, barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, gyms and fitness studios, skating rinks, theaters and yoga studios. Also closed are outdoor playgrounds, sport courts and public and private campgrounds. It also closes malls and retail complexes, bowling alleys, pool halls, swimming pools and amusement parks.

 

Essential retail businesses that remain open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, bu Brown says they must enforce social distancing measures of six feet or more between customers. Bars, restaurants and coffee shops can continue to serve takeout and delivery, but will remain closed for dine-in service.

 

Hiking trails will remain open but the order gives the state authority to close them immediately if crowds of people show up that prevent social distancing of six feet.

 

Violation of the order is a misdemeanor, although state officials said they were relying on Oregonians to comply on their own.

 

The order also outlines new guidelines for child care facilities. Day cares must keep children in groups of 10 or fewer students to limit the number of contacts. Day care facilities that remain open must also prioritize the children of first responders, doctors, nurses and other critical medical workers when accepting children for care.