https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavir...cials-say.html
In case your blocked by certain browsers: By Fedor Zarkhin | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Oregon health officials will end the mask mandate for indoor public places and schools no later than March 31, and might do so earlier if COVID-19 hospitalizations drop to around 400 occupied beds, the Oregon Health Authority said Monday.
“The evidence from Oregon and around the country is clear: masks save lives by slowing the spread of COVID-19,” state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said in a statement. “We should see COVID-19 hospitalizations drop by the end of March because so many Oregonians are wearing masks and taking other steps to protect themselves and each other.”
Oregon is one of only nine states with a statewide indoor mask mandate, according to the New York Times. California on Monday announced it would end its state mandate Feb. 15 for vaccinated people but not school children.
Oregon health officials expect to see about 400 COVID-19 hospitalizations by the end of March, about the same number as before the omicron wave. If hospitalizations drop to that number earlier, the state will consider lifting the mandate then.
Once the mandate is lifted, businesses will be free to set their own mask policies, the health authority said. The federal mandate to wear a mask in all methods of public transportation is effective through March 18.
Oregon announced its projected end date for masks at the same time it extended existing requirements. Temporary mask rules were set to lapse this week with state officials unveiling new permanent rules Monday to extend those along with a promise to end the requirements by March 31.
The state’s decision to extend masking requirements beyond this week came despite hours of testimony opposing the permanent rule. The health authority published summaries with some of the concerns expressed in public testimony and provided responses, including information about mask safety and the rationale behind mandating masks for everyone, including the vaccinated.
— Fedor Zarkhin
503-294-7674;
fzarkhin@oregonian.com
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