Oregon Ends Outdoor Mask Mandate, Covid Tests For Schools Secured

Portland OR

23 November, 2021

6:41 PM

Description

PORTLAND, OR — It's been in place for about three months but Oregon's requirement that people wear masks outdoors has gone the way of the outdoor mask mandate that had been in place before previously going away. The Oregon Health Authority says that the mandate has been lifted because of the progress the state has made to slow new infections and keep hospitalization rates from growing. Live in Portland? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. "While it's too soon to lift all mask precautions, we can remove the outdoor mask requirement for crowded public settings," Oregon's health officer, Dr. Dean Sidelinger, said. "We're not seeing these settings fueling large outbreaks. Oregonians can interact with others outdoors without putting themselves and others at high risk, especially if they are vaccinated." Officials warn that the mandate, which was out in effect when the latest surge started in August, could come back. In other good news, state education officials announced that a steady, secure supply of testing kits for every public and private school in the state to start "test to stay" programs. The program allows to students to go to school and even participate in extracurricular activites as long as they don't test positive.