Gov. Brown locks down 15 counties. Restaurants close

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced 15 counties as hitting Extreme Risk label.  These counties are Baker, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk and Wasco.

This means indoor dining will be closed.

The lockdown comes amidst a surge in new cases.  It also comes at a time when Oregon was among the few states to lockdown in the fall and among the last two re-open from that winter lockdown.

Gov. Brown stated, “My goal is to lift these restrictions as soon as it is safely possible, and keep Oregon on the path for lifting most health and safety requirements by the end of June so we can fully reopen our economy. But we will only get there if enough Oregonians get vaccinated. There are appointments available right now all across the state.”

NFIB stated, “For many Oregonians, another shutdown order, regardless of how long it lasts, will be yet another pandemic-related inconvenience that may or may not prompt a change in behavior. For those whose livelihoods depend on these businesses being open, this news is completely devastating, especially now – more than a year into the pandemic and with an end to restrictions on business activity now in sight.”