Oregon examining new guidelines to reopen schools in the state

The state of Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority have developed new guidelines for schools looking to reopen.

The new metrics will be available today, and county officials will begin to evaluate local districts as soon as next week.

“From the very first case of coronavirus in Oregon, I have used science to inform my decisions,” said Governor Brown in her press briefing Friday morning. “My top priority has been, and will always be, the health and safety of Oregonians.”

The decision to close schools was “not an easy one,” said the governor. “Oregonians have made huge sacrifices.”

“We are making adjustments to the metrics based on our best judgment of the science. They are not radical shifts. Not every school district across the state will suddenly be able to meet these metrics and reopen today.”

“The vast majority of our students will not be able to return to class,” added Brown. “Over the course of just a few months, life has fundamentally changed.”

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“We’re asking every Oregonian to prioritize our kids right now and really think about their own behaviors,” said Education Director Colt Gill.

In line with the CDC recommendations, Oregon will use a three-week look-back for transmission awareness, rather than week-to-week. The metrics will also focus on county infection rates, rather than state-wide numbers, to help narrow the viability of reopening.

For more information regarding metrics and guidelines to safely reopen schools, you can find detailed breakdowns on the Oregon Department of Education website.