Traveling To Oregon: What Non-Essential Visitors Should Know

In March 2020, Oregon's Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order that banned all non-essential activities and travel for the foreseeable future. The order also closed malls, retail stores, gyms, and other non-essential services. Citizens were mandated to stay at home as much as possible, with violators risking a Class C misdemeanour charge.

As of February 2023, Oregon has not issued any travel restrictions. However, in November 2020, the governors of the West Coast states of California, Washington, and Oregon issued an advisory recommending against non-essential travel as the US saw a spike in COVID-19 cases. The advisory also encouraged travellers from out of state to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Oregon's non-essential travel ban during the COVID-19 pandemic

On March 23, 2020, Oregon's governor, Kate Brown, issued an executive order that effectively banned all non-essential activities and travel for the foreseeable future. The ban closed all malls, retail stores, gyms, and other non-essential services throughout Oregon. Oregonians were no longer allowed to attend indoor or outdoor non-essential gatherings and events outside of their homes where a 6-foot person-to-person distance could not be maintained.

The order mandated that citizens stay at home as much as possible. Failing to follow the guidelines could result in a Class C misdemeanour charge, which may result in up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,250, or both.

The order was not a total shutdown, however. It was still okay to leave the house for essential activities, including grocery shopping, receiving health care, or getting gas. Restaurants were also allowed to remain open, as long as they operated on a takeout level.

The order had no defined timeframe, with Governor Brown stating that she and her team would continue to assess the situation.

As of February 2023, no states have travel restrictions that were issued by governors or state agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oregon's outdoor recreation closures

In March 2020, Oregon saw a wave of outdoor recreation closures as land management agencies shut down trails and parks to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the Pacific Northwest. While Governor Kate Brown allowed people to continue going outside for exercise, she discouraged recreational travel and mandated that citizens stay at home as much as possible.

Columbia River Gorge

The U.S. Forest Service closed virtually all trails, day-use areas, and viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge. The Mount Hood National Forest also announced the closure of all developed recreation sites, including trails, sno-parks, campgrounds, cabins, and lookouts. All ski areas on Mount Hood were closed as well.

Other National Forests

Similar closures were implemented in almost all other national forests in Oregon. The Siuslaw National Forest was closed in its entirety, while all developed recreation sites in the Deschutes, Malheur, Ochoco, Umatilla, Umpqua, Wallowa-Whitman, and Willamette national forests were shut down.

National Park Sites

Crater Lake National Park, the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, and the John Day Fossil Beds were closed to the public. The Oregon Caves National Monument canceled cave tours and closed its visitor center, but hiking trails remained open.

Oregon State Parks

All Oregon state park sites, including campgrounds, day-use areas, viewpoints, waysides, and museums, were closed to the public following an influx of visitors over a weekend in March 2020.

Washington State Parks

Washington State Parks closed all its park sites, including water access areas.

Columbia River Fishing

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife closed the Columbia River to salmon and steelhead fishing. Fishing for other species was permitted only on the Oregon side of the river, and all Columbia River fish hatcheries were shut down.

Bureau of Land Management Sites

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shut down campgrounds but kept many trails and day-use areas open. The BLM had previously closed two of its recreation areas: Yaquina Head and the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

City and County Parks

Some city and county parks in Oregon were also closed, while others had partial closures, such as road closures at some Portland parks.

Oregon's COVID-19 risk levels

In March 2020, Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order that banned all non-essential activities and travel for the foreseeable future. The order closed malls, retail stores, gyms, and other non-essential services. It also prohibited Oregonians from attending indoor or outdoor non-essential gatherings and events outside of their homes where a 6-foot distance could not be maintained.

The order did not amount to a total shutdown, as citizens were still allowed to leave their homes for essential activities such as grocery shopping, receiving health care, or getting gas. Restaurants were also allowed to remain open for takeout services. Additionally, recreational activities such as running and hiking were permitted as long as social distancing guidelines were followed.

Violating the guidelines could result in a Class C misdemeanour charge, which may result in up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,250, or both.

As of February 24, 2023, Oregon has not issued any travel restrictions. However, Governor Brown, along with Washington and California's governors, issued an advisory in November 2020, recommending that travellers self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state and that residents limit non-essential travel.

Oregon's hotel and lodging changes

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about several changes to the hotel and lodging industry in Oregon. While the state has lifted travel restrictions, hotels and lodgings have implemented new procedures to ensure guest and staff safety. Here are some of the changes you can expect when visiting Oregon:

Check-In Procedures

Many hotels in Oregon have introduced new check-in procedures to limit face-to-face interaction and maintain social distancing. Some hotels offer contactless check-in, allowing guests to complete the check-in process online. Others provide options such as delivering keys to guests' vehicles to minimise contact.

Face Coverings

Face coverings may be required in hotels, depending on the establishment's policy. Businesses have the choice to mandate face coverings for all individuals or allow fully vaccinated guests to forgo them. If a business requests verification of vaccination status, it is not a violation of HIPAA. It is recommended to carry proof of vaccination and be prepared to wear a face covering if requested.

Enhanced Cleaning Protocols

Hotels in Oregon have implemented additional cleaning protocols to maintain a safe environment. Before your arrival, staff will open windows and doors to increase air circulation and focus on disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, television remotes, and light switches. Some establishments may use heat or steam for sanitising soft surfaces.

Dining Options

Indoor dining options may be limited due to county risk levels and hotel policies. Many hotels offer breakfast in a to-go box, which can be enjoyed in the room or at a nearby park. Online ordering options may be available, and staff can also assist with food delivery choices. To ensure safety, hotels may use more single-use items like disposable plates and plastic cutlery.

Amenities

Some amenities may not be available during your stay. Pools, spas, and fitness centres are allowed to reopen, but it is at the discretion of each property. It is recommended to research ahead of time and contact the hotel directly to understand the specific changes and availability of amenities.

Guest Behaviour

Guests are advised to be flexible, patient, and kind towards frontline workers. With shifting guidelines and protocols, it is important to follow the directions provided by the hotel staff and be considerate of their efforts to maintain a safe environment.

Oregon's reopening plans

Phase 1

Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced a three-phase plan to reopen the state in May 2020. The plan required Oregon counties to meet seven prerequisites before submitting a request to the governor's office for review:

• A decline in COVID-19 prevalence for at least 14 days
• Conduct a minimum of 30 tests per 10,000 people per week, with accessibility for underserved communities
• Have the ability to conduct contact tracing^
• Must have isolation/quarantine facilities^
• Finalize statewide sector guidelines+
• Have sufficient healthcare capacity
• Have sufficient personal protective equipment supply

On May 15, 35 of Oregon's 36 counties entered Phase 1. Multnomah County was the exception, as it was still working to meet Phase 1 requirements.

During Phase 1, restaurants and bars were allowed to open for sit-down services, but only with appropriate physical distancing measures in place, and employees were required to wear face masks.

Personal services, including salons, barber shops, and gyms, were also allowed to open, but with limits on the number of occupants. Salons were required to follow appointment-only procedures and conduct temperature checks at the door, logging every customer to allow for contact tracing if needed.

Retail businesses and shops could also open, following physical distancing etiquette laid out by the Oregon Health Authority. Social gatherings could increase to 25 people, as long as physical distancing measures were in place.

Phase 2

On June 3, Governor Brown announced the framework for counties to enter Phase 2 of the state's reopening plan.

Counties could apply to enter Phase 2 after being in Phase 1 for a minimum of 14 days and could enter Phase 2 after 21 days.

During Phase 2, gathering limits were raised to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Indoor and outdoor venues, including theaters and churches, could reach a COVID-19 occupancy limit of up to 250, with 6 feet of physical distancing and other measures in place.

Offices could begin reopening, with employees returning to workplaces, but remote work was still strongly recommended whenever possible. Increased travel was also allowed throughout Oregon, although people were advised to stay local to prevent overloading county health systems. Restaurants and bars had their curfews extended to midnight.

Pools, sports courts, and indoor and outdoor activities such as bowling, batting cages, and mini-golf were allowed to reopen under new guidance. Recreational sports could also resume in a limited form, with strict physical distancing guidance.

Current Status

As of February 24, 2023, no states have travel restrictions that were issued by governors or state agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frequently asked questions