[Medford, Oregon] — May 8, 2020, In response to Governor Brown’s COVID-19 reopening plan, Jackson County has officially requested to reopen under Phase 1 guidelines. Yesterday, Danny Jordan, County Administrator, submitted a letter along with a Prerequisite and Status Plan that demonstrated Jackson County’s ability to meet the standards for reopening as outlined by the governor. The letter also requested that the county be allowed to open separately from its assigned Health Region. “Jackson County has done a tremendous job in mitigating the spread of COVID-19,” says Colleen Roberts, Chair of Jackson County Board of Commissioners. “Our local businesses, communities and citizens are ready to get back to work, which is why we are pushing for an expedited approval so we can be ready to reopen on or before May 15th.”
In order to start the first phase of reopening, each county must meet prerequisites in seven key areas: declining prevalence of COVID-19; minimum Testing Regimen; Contact Tracing System; Isolation Facilities; Finalized Statewide Sector Guidelines; Sufficient Health Care Capacity; and Sufficient PPE Supply. “Jackson County staff, the members of the Emergency Operation Center, the business community, and our medical community all came together to keep us as safe as possible during this unprecedented event,” adds Bob Strosser, Jackson County Commissioner. “It is because of their outstanding efforts that we are ready to take the first steps to reopening the county.”
Phase 1 reopening will allow for restaurants, bars and personal care services to reopen with limited hours and capacity as well as permitting small, local groups of no more than 25 to meet in person. “We have more than met the requirements to reopen under Phase 1,” says Rick Dyer, Jackson County Commissioner. “We ask that everyone in our community follow the Phase 1 guidelines so that we can continue on to the next phases as quickly as possible.”
Information on the reopening guidelines for the State of Oregon can be found on the Oregon Health Authority website: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
Jackson County’s Reopening Prerequisite Status Plan is attached to this message.
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