Gov. Kate Brown announced new statewide indoor mask requirements.
To help stop the highly contagious Delta variant from spreading further, masks will be required in all indoor public settings. The requirement went into effect on Friday.
“Because of the Delta variant, we had over 2,300 COVID-19 cases reported (on Aug. 10) – the highest number since the virus first landed in Oregon — and hospitalizations are also at a record high,” said Brown. “New modeling from the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Health & Science University project that, without new safety interventions, COVID-19 hospitalizations will completely overwhelm our doctors and nurses in the coming weeks. When hospitals run out of beds, we are all at risk.”
Brown said efforts to reach Oregonians with information and a vaccine is ongoing, but added the current situation requires immediate action to stop the Delta variant from spreading further.
“That’s why, moving forward for the immediate future, masks will be required in all indoor public settings,” said Brown. “The latest science is clear that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are able to spread the Delta variant. Masks are simple, and they are effective. Wearing a mask should give you confidence that you are not infecting others, and they are also our best bet at keeping our schools and our businesses open.”
