New county risk levels take effect on Friday

Klamath County drops to ‘Moderate Risk’ and Lake County drops to ‘Lower Risk’

Under new county risk levels, Klamath County will see an increased capacity for indoor dining starting Friday. (Stock photo)

This Friday, new county risk levels for Oregon will allow for 50% occupancy or 100-people [whichever is lower] in Klamath County theaters. (Stock photo)

SALEM, Ore. - Governor Kate Brown today announced updates to county risk levels under the state's public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

Effective March 12 through March 25, there will be two counties in the Extreme Risk level, nine at High Risk, 12 at Moderate Risk, and 13 at Lower Risk.

“We are largely seeing case rates decline across the state, with the most counties in the Lower Risk level since the framework was introduced in November," said Governor Brown.

What can you do in Moderate Risk?

According to the Oregon Health Authority, the following activities are allowed under a county risk level of moderate.

Restaurant & Bar

• Indoor dining allowed, capacity not to exceed 50% or 100 people, whichever is smaller.

• Indoor seating: 6 people per table maximum.

• Outdoor dining allowed with a capacity of 150 people maximum.

• Outdoor seating: 8 people per table maximum.

• 11:00 p.m. closing time
  
  

Places of Worship

• Indoor Capacity: Maximum 50% occupancy or 150 people total, whichever is smaller.

• Outdoor Capacity: 250 people maximum
  
  

Gyms, Fitness & Recreation

• Indoor

  • Capacity: Maximum 50% occupancy or 100 people total, whichever is smaller.

  • Indoor full-contact sports prohibited

• Outdoor

  • Maximum 150 people.

  • Outdoor full-contact sports allowed
    
    

Museums

• Capacity: Maximum 50% occupancy or 100 people total, whichever is smaller.

• 11:00 p.m. closing time
  
  

Social and At-Home Gathering (Indoor)

• Maximum 8 people.

• Recommended limit: 2 households​
  
  

Street Fairs & Markets

• 75% max capacity.

• Curbside pick-up encouraged
  
  

Theater

• Capacity: Maximum 50% occupancy or 100 people total, whichever is smaller.

• 11:00 p.m. closing time
  
  

A complete list of what is and is not allowed can be located at coronavirus.oregon.gov.

"This should serve as a reminder that when we follow the health and safety measures we know work against this virus, we can truly make a difference in infection spread,” continued Governor Brown. “But, we still have more work to do before we reach the level of community-wide protection we need in order to return to a sense of normalcy. I encourage all Oregonians to keep it up and to get your vaccine when it's available to you."