Oregon reinstates indoor mask mandate, will require some state employees to get vaccinated

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Tuesday that she will re-implement a statewide indoor mask mandate for all residents regardless of their vaccination status as part of a new effort to combat a surge in COVID-19 cases.

"The latest science is clear: although unvaccinated individuals are more likely to contract the disease, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can spread the Delta variant. Masks are a simple and effective way to make sure you are not unknowingly infecting your friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues. After a year and a half of this pandemic, I know Oregonians are tired of health and safety restrictions. This new mask requirement will not last forever, but it is a measure that can save lives right now. Brown’s office said the safety measures were necessary because local public health data projected that "hospitalizations will far exceed Oregon’s health system capacity in the next several weeks" without preventative measures. On Monday, the state reported 2,329 new COVID-19 cases and a record 635 hospitalizations. Oregon is the third state to require fully vaccinated residents to mask indoors amid a surge caused by the delta variant. The CDC recently adjusted its guidance to recommend masks regardless of vaccination status in areas with a high rate of transmission.