Covid-19 cases are spiking across Oregon, and our nation. Hospital beds are running low and we are on a trajectory to not have sufficient resources to care for people who are ill or test and track those who may be. Acting now is essential. Accordingly, Governor Kate Brown has ordered a statewide “freeze” starting on Wednesday to help stop this deadly trend and allow us to return to less-restrictive pandemic lives. 

The statewide freeze will last a minimum of 2 weeks, and at least 4 weeks for hotspots, including Multnomah County. Following these guidelines will help keep you, your family, and your community safe, and help gradually reopen our state.  

Complete information can be found here, but here is a summary of key provisions. Some of the restrictions will be difficult, especially with the holidays approaching, but it is critical that we follow these rules to keep our loved ones safe and get back to normal:

• Restaurants and bars are take-out only (no indoor or outdoor dining)
• Gyms, indoor recreational facilities, museums, and indoor entertainment like theaters are closed
• Outdoor recreational facilities, zoos, gardens, and entertainment venues are closed (city parks and playgrounds will remain open)
• All businesses must mandate employees work from home when possible, and to close offices to the public
• Grocery and retail stores are limited to 75% capacity and should encourage curbside pickup
• Nursing homes and long-term care facility visits are prohibited 
• Social gatherings, indoors or out, can have no more than six people from two households
• Worship services can have up to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors

Our union prepared this Covid-19 resource directory back in the spring and we continue to update it as new information comes available. Please check these resources regularly and contact your organizer of the Member Assistance Center at 1-844-503-SEIU (7348) if you have any questions. 

It had been a century since the last global pandemic, and these are tough, unprecedented times for us all. In good times and in bad, we are here for each other. There are promising vaccine trials and we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but until then, we need to be vigilant and follow the rules to keep our communities safe. Thank you for doing your part.