Oregon’s Governor announced that effective Friday, August 27, 2021 masks will be required in most public outdoor spaces.
The new rule will require masks for individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in outdoor settings in which individuals from different households are unable to consistently maintain physical distance. The announcement states that the rule does not apply to fleeting encounters, such as two individuals walking by one another in a park.
The state’s new rule has similar exceptions to the recent indoor mask requirements and does not apply to:
- Children under 5 years old;
- Individuals who are actively eating, drinking, or sleeping — as well as individuals living outdoors;
- Persons playing or practicing competitive sports, or engaged in an activity in which it is not feasible to wear a mask — such as swimming;
- Individuals delivering a speech or performing — such as with outdoor music or theater;
- Mask requirements for day-to-day operations at K-12 schools are not governed by this rule, and will instead continue to fall under the school mask rule. Outside public events, spectator events, and gatherings of the general public on K-12 school grounds will be subject to the rule. Child care and youth programs will continue to follow existing OHA mask guidance.
In addition, entities subject to the ADA must continue to comply with that law’s requirements regarding reasonable accommodations.
Oregon Health Authority is expected to release additional guidance on this new outdoor mask rule in the coming days.