Oregon OSHA to relax COVID-19 rules when state reaches vaccine target

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has announced plans to repeal the basic face covering and physical distancing requirements in its COVID-19 workplace protection rules when 70% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated against the virus.

The June 7 announcement came three days after Gov. Kate Brown (D) declared that the state will not require masks and face coverings in most public settings – excluding airports, public transit and health care – when the state reaches the 70% vaccination threshold. As of June 14, the Oregon Health Authority reported on its website that 76,089 additional adult residents needed to receive a vaccine to reach the target.

In light of Brown’s announcement, Oregon OSHA – which operates under federal OSHA’s State Plan program – says in a press release that it will convene stakeholders beginning the week of June 14 to review its COVID-19 rules and determine if other provisions should be repealed as well. Those stakeholder include the Oregon OSHA Partnership Committee, OHA and two infectious disease rulemaking advisory committees, among others.

The temporary rules were initially adopted in November and extended in May.