(Update: video added, comment from CO gym owner and manager)
Central Oregon Provinces are still under 25 in the ‘Extreme Risk’ category
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Government. Kate Brown on Tuesday issued new guidelines that allow recreational facilities such as gyms and other indoor activities (other than restaurants) to reopen in a very limited way in the 25 provinces of Extreme Risk.
All three provinces in Central Oregon remain in the highest risk rating. And just because the gyms can open does not mean they will do so, given the restrictions set out for the limited reopening that could begin Friday.
Kip Heilman, general manager of the Athletic Club of Bend, told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday: “I do not think we are going to open on Friday, no. It just makes no financial sense to do so.”
Under the new pipeline, which goes into effect on Friday, indoor recreation spaces of more than 500 square feet can have up to six people inside. Any spaces smaller than this are limited to one-on-one services.
Some gym owners say it’s a start, but that it’s not enough for serious help out of their struggle.
Tate Metcalf, owner of the Sisters Athletics Club, said: “It’s great that Governor Brown is willing to open us up to our communities, but of course there has to be something else.”
Metcalf added that the limit of six people is just not practical.
” A boutique studio in Bend with 1,100 or 1,200 square feet can accommodate six people, ” he said. ‘My building, on 19,000 square meters, can get six. And then the Athletic Club of Bend has about 150,000 (square meters) feet). “
Heilman agreed, adding that it was not fair to its members either.
“It will allow a member to use the club once every two months,” he said of how he could split access.
And he said the issue just did not make sense to six people.
“My utility bills here alone, even if we’re closed, are over $ 25,000,” Heilman said.
Metcalf is not sure if he will also open on Friday, but he hopes a better solution will be offered to him.
“My hope is that they will regroup and put something together so we can all reopen safely,” he said.
Release from the governor’s office:
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Government Kate Brown on Tuesday announced updates on the province’s risk levels under the public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19.
The framework uses four different risk levels for provinces based on COVID-19 distribution – Extreme risk, high risk, moderate risk and lower risk – and assigns health and safety measures for each level.
As of January 29 to February 11, there are 25 provinces at the extreme risk level, two with high risk, two with moderate risk and seven with lower risk. A complete list of provinces and the associated risk levels is available here.
Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson are still among the 25 listed as Extreme Risk. The only changes this time around are Grant County moving from lower to moderate risk, while the counties of Curry and Lake are moving from moderate to lower risk and Tillamook County has moved from extreme to lower risk.
“Most of the state remains in the Extreme Risk category,” Brown said. “It’s an important reminder for all Oregonians to continue to do their part by complying with health and safety guidelines.
“Until vaccines are widely available with a high participation rate, the surest way to reduce our risk and open up our businesses and communities is to continue the measures we know are effective in spreading COVID-19. reduce – wear a mask, keep physical distance, avoid meetings, wash your hands regularly and stay home when you are ill. ‘
Governor Brown also announced amendments to the guidelines for indoor activities in Extreme Risk Provinces, which take effect Friday.
These adjustments allow for a maximum of six people indoors at facilities of more than 500 square feet (for all indoor activities except eating), with concomitant guidance for continuous social distance, cleaning protocols, and face masks.
For facilities smaller than 500 square feet, the modified guidance can create 1: 1 customer experiences, such as personal training. The updated guidelines for indoor recreation will be posted on coronavirus.oregon.gov by Friday.
While the new guideline does not yet provide for indoor dining, it does make the following adjustments to eating and drinking places:
· Change to non-adjacent two-sided tents for outdoor dining (current guidance provides for tents with a roof and only one side)
· Allowance for individual enclosed eating pods for outdoor meals
· Allowance for the use of video terminal terminals indoors, with a maximum of up to six people with physical distance
“Science has shown us that outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities, when it comes to the spread of COVID 19, so we have clearly outlined the direction between indoor and outdoor activities,” Brown said.
“We have seen over the past few weeks that Oregonians have largely complied with the risk levels, to the point that we have not yet seen an increase in hospitalizations that would jeopardize the capacity of the hospital,” she said. “This means we can make these adjustments for extreme risk provinces, which will help both businesses and Oregonians if we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish rural data weekly. Rural risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week’s data will provide a “warning week” to prepare provinces for possible changes at risk level. The next allocation of risk levels will be announced on 9 February and will take effect on 11 February.
Updates to the country’s alert week data and risk levels will be posted on coronavirus.oregon.gov.