Two-Week Statewide Freeze Begins Now

November 18, 2020

Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-65 following last week's announcement of a statewide freeze to stop the rapid community spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. In light of increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the order outlines necessary risk reduction measures designed to limit gatherings and curb human contact. The statewide two-week freeze is now through Wednesday, December 2. 

For more details about the freeze see the news release here. 

Apply for food, cash and other assistance from home during Oregon two-week freeze
All Oregonians can apply for food, cash and child care assistance provided through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) from home without having to visit an office in person. To apply from home, visit govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits for information on how to apply for assistance using an online application, email, mail, telephone or application drop off. Oregonians who need urgent and ongoing food assistance can visit needfood.oregon.gov.

For more ways to connect with ODHS or to find other types of assistance, contact 211info:

By dialing 2-1-1 from any phone 
Text your zip code to 898211
By email at help@211info.org 
211info.org 
covid19.211info.org 

Ideas for Celebrating Holiday Meals Safely
Gathering around a table for a holiday meal will look different this year. During the freeze, only two households can gather together with no more than six people together total. Remember it's safest to enjoy your holiday meal with only the people you live with. If you choose to celebrate with the lowest risk for spreading COVID-19, here are some ideas:

  • Join friends and family over a video call. Make it more fun by finding a game to play that works well over video. And no need to drive home afterwards!
  • Safely cook a pie or favorite dish and drop it off at your loved ones home without contact.
  • Exchange photos of the people at your meal with the people you would normally invite.
  • Send an email or letter with stories or memories from past holidays to let people know you're thinking of them.

What to do if You Have to Travel 
People in Oregon are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries right now. Avoiding travel can reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 as well as bringing it back to Oregon.

Visiting friends and loved ones may feel essential after so much time apart, but this year it's safest to stay home and avoid having anyone travel to visit. Non-essential travel includes tourism and recreational travel. Essential travel includes travel for the following reasons:

Work and study 
Critical infrastructure support 
Economic services and supply chains 
Health and immediate medical care 
Safety and security 

If you must travel for essential reasons, here are some tips for increasing your safety:

  • Get your flu shot at least two weeks before you travel because it can take a while to become effective. 
  • If you can, travel alone by car, or only with people you live with. Limit stops and wear a face covering when you do have to stop. 
  • If you have to travel by airplane, train, ship, ferry, subway, taxi, or ride share wear a face covering. 
  • Keep six feet of physical distance between yourself and anyone you don't live with whenever possible. 
  • Wash your hands often. Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in case there is no place to wash hands. 
  • Stay in a separate room from others when you arrive at your destination. 

Anyone who returns to Oregon or enters the state because of non-essential travel is urged to quarantine for 14 days after arrival and limit their interactions to people they live with. More information on traveling safely is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, and you can find Governor Brown's travel advisory here.

Oregon OSHA Adopts Temporary Rules Addressing COVID-19 in All Workplaces
Oregon OSHA has adopted a temporary rule that is intended to combat the spread of coronavirus in all workplaces by requiring employers to carry out a comprehensive set of risk-reducing measures. The new temporary rule took effect this past Monday, November 16, with certain parts being phased in.

The following resources are now available online under “Documents,” with more on the way in the weeks to come:

  • Exposure Risk Assessment Form – Employers can fill out this template (available in Word and PDF) as part of the requirement to conduct a risk assessment. The assessment must involve participation and feedback from employees. It gauges potential employee exposure to COVID-19, including addressing specific questions about how to minimize such exposure. 
  • Model Policy for Notification of Employees when COVID-19 Exposure Occurs– Employers can satisfy the requirement to notify affected workers within 24 hours of a work-related infection by adopting this model procedure, available in Word and PDF. 
  • The COVID-19 Hazards Poster – This required poster is available in both English and Spanish. The poster does not have to be printed and posted in color. Employers may also visit Oregon OSHA’s publications webpage to place an order. 
  • Overview Table – This table summarizes the requirements and how they apply. It also shows the effective dates of certain provisions of the temporary rule. 

Oregon OSHA urges a careful reading of the temporary rule as it is expected to remain in effect until May 4, 2021.

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