Oregon Announces Indoor, School Mask Mandates Lifted March 19

PORTLAND, OR — The omicron-driven surge that has gripped Oregon for months may not be over but it's close enough the state announced a major change on Thursday. The indoor mask mandate and the public school requirements will both be lifted on March 19.

The Oregon Health Authority had originally said that the mandates would be lifted on March 31 but could be suspended earlier if the numbers supported the decision.

State Health Officer and Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said that Oregon can take the step because of a collective effort by residents.

"We are able to take this important step earlier than anticipated, because of the collective diligence and the shared sacrifice that people in getting vaccinated, wearing masks and limiting they gatherings," he said.

When the March 31 deadline was set, data modeling from Oregon Health Sciences University showed that daily hospitalizations would drop to 400 by the end of the month.

An updated forecast now shows that happening on March 20.

The daily number has already dropped nearly 50 percent since the peak last month. Over the past two weeks, the number of hospitalizations has dropped by an average of more than 50 each day.

The dropping numbers s also driving the state education department decision to drop the mask requirement for schools.

"These guidelines will continue to support our North Star goal of providing in-person learning for every student, all day, every school day and will focus on specific supports for students, staff, and families that may be at more risk from COVID-19 than others in the school population," State Education Department Director Colt Gill said.

While the mandates are being suspended, officials urge people in high risk groups continue wearing masks indoors.

Meanwhile, Governor Brown announced that on April 1, the emergency declaration that gave her expanded powers during the pandemic will no longer be in effect.

"Lifting Oregon's COVID-19 emergency declaration today does not mean that the pandemic is over, or that COVID-19 is no longer a significant concern," she said.

"As we learn to live with this virus, and with so many Oregonians protected by safe and effective vaccines, we can now protect ourselves, our friends, and our families without invoking the extraordinary emergency authorities that were necessary at the beginning of the pandemic.

"We must remain vigilant. We must continue to get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks when necessary, and stay home when sick. That is the only way we can achieve our shared goals of saving lives and keeping our schools, businesses, and communities open."