Marion County is one of a handful of Oregon counties where masks are now required in public spaces.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released full details of mask requirements Monday, June 22.
Masks are required in grocery stores, fitness-related organizations, pharmacies, public transit agencies and providers, restaurants, bars, breweries, brewpubs, wineries, tasting rooms, retail stores and malls, ride sharing services, pools and sports courts, indoor entertainment facilities, recreational sports centers and indoor entertainment venues.
Cloth face coverings are now available at most major retailers.
Businesses in those sectors are required to provide masks or face shields to employees and customers are required to wear masks unless they are eating or drinking. Business owners should also post signs regarding mask policies at their businesses. There are downloadable versions of the signs at govstatus.egov.com.
Businesses should, but are not required to, provide disposable face coverings for customers and educate employees on mask policies. There may be times when masks need to be removed while communicating, with a customer, for instance.
Businesses are allowed to turn away customers without masks or ask them to return with a face covering. Business representatives can ask if wearing a mask interferes with a medical condition, but should not inquire about specifics or ask for proof.
Children between ages 2-12 are not required to wear masks, but it is encouraged with close supervision on proper use, (e.g., excessively touching the face covering, not changing the face covering if visibly soiled, risk of strangulation or suffocation, etc.) Children under 2 years old should not wear masks.
Even when wearing a face covering, the OHA still recommends:
• Limit social and recreational activities where people cannot stay six feet apart.
• Stay at least six feet from others during necessary trips to grocery stores, pharmacies or health care places.
• Cover sneezes and coughs with a tissue and throw it away immediately; or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not into your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth or face.
• Clean your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol content) if you cannot wash your hands.
• Isolating yourself when you are sick. Stay away from work, family and friends. Stay away until 72 hours after both fever and cough have gone away without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
