Today, Governor Brown announced new measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. Together with the governors of Washington and Oregon, a joint travel advisory is in place effective today, November 13, 2020. The advisory urges anyone entering Oregon – either residents returning from a trip, or non-residents entering Oregon on a trip – to quarantine for 14 days. It furthers advises Oregonians to refrain from any non-essential travel to other states or countries.
Additionally, the two-week freeze, beginning Nov. 18 and running through at least Dec. 2, will impact many businesses across the state. The following restrictions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Limiting restaurants and bars to take-out only.
- Closing indoor recreational facilities, museums, indoor entertainment activities, zoos, pools, gardens, aquariums, and outdoor entertainment activities.
- Closing venues (that host or facilitate indoor or outdoor events).
- Limiting social get-togethers (indoors and outdoors) to no more than six people, total, from no more than two households.
While this announcement was anticipated with COVID-19 cases increasing at a rapid rate, this directive will add strain to Oregon’s tourism economy and impact many communities that rely on travel and related spending to support their economies.
We know that Oregon’s tourism economy is comprised of many local, small businesses that are economic bedrocks for many communities. While public health must be a priority, Travel Oregon also recognizes we must continue to focus collectively on how to minimize the impacts on our tourism economy, and the jobs Oregonians rely on. This continues to be an unparalleled time of uncertainty, but know that Travel Oregon remains committed to identifying ways to stabilize Oregon’s tourism economy in the short-term and ensure we come out of this stronger and more resilient in the long-term.
Our focus will be on working with communities, businesses and organizations to support their local economies and stabilize employment as much as possible during this time of reduced travel and visitor spending.
There is no glossing over what new travel restrictions mean to our industry. But now, more than ever we must focus on a shared responsibility to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will update our consumer-facing content and COVID-19 Toolkit on industry.traveloregon.com by the end of the day, please use any of these resources you need to communicate to your partners or customers.
Together, we will get through this.
Stay safe, and be well,
Todd
CEO, Travel Oregon