Amid the flurry of announcements surrounding the reopening of Oregon’s mostly rural counties, it might come as a surprise to many urban residents: Gov. Kate Brown will allow virtually all retail stores across the state, including in the Portland metro area, to reopen for business starting Friday.
That includes furniture stores, art galleries, jewelry shops and boutiques — stores that she specifically ordered closed in March.
Their reopenings could prompt a spate of other businesses to restart again -- stores that Brown never officially ordered to close but did so on their own to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus or because foot traffic took a steep dive when customers heeded the governor’s March 23 order to stay at home except for essential tasks such as grocery shopping.
Starting Friday, the governor also is allowing childcare centers across Oregon — previously restricted to serving the children of essential workers — to care for all children. The state has said children of essential workers must get priority. Summer school and youth programs also can start up statewide, with some restrictions. Summer day camps will be allowed, but overnight camps won’t.
There’s still plenty that’s unclear about how the governor’s reopening plans will affect the metro area specifically. Here’s what we know:
What exactly has the governor said?
When Brown announced last week that she’d allow individual counties to apply to enter a Phase I reopening, some Oregonians apparently took that to mean that the state might give permission to mostly rural counties with few cases of COVID-19 to restart and that Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties, with a noticeably higher level of infections, would hold off on reopening.
But it has since become clear that some level of reopening — businesses such as furniture stores and boutiques — automatically will be allowed in the Portland area and statewide.
Counties that want to go a step further, for instance allowing sit-down customers at restaurants, must get the state’s permission. So far, 33 of the state’s 36 counties have applied. Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties haven’t yet sought that level of reopening.
The governor said Thursday the state has granted permission to 31 of the 33 counties to enter Phase 1. They will be allowed to reopen restaurants and bars for dine-in patrons, gyms, health clubs, hair salons, nail salons and shopping malls starting Friday — with many restrictions.
Residents in those counties approved for Phase 1 also will be allowed to hold gatherings of up to 25 people.
What businesses can open in the Portland area and statewide?
The governor’s office has said all retail businesses can reopen in the metro area, but said those in indoor and outdoor malls can’t.
That appears to mean retail stores in shopping centers such as Washington Square and Clackamas Town Center must remain shuttered, and the same holds true for outdoor venues such as the Streets of Tanasbourne or Bridgeport Village. The governor’s press office said retailers in strip malls are allowed to reopen.
“Standalone” furniture stores, such as IKEA, also have gotten the green light. An array of small shops -- specifically “boutiques” -- have, too.
The governor’s spokeswoman, Liz Merah, said “(a)ny of the retail businesses that were prohibited from operating” because of the governor’s March 23 stay-at-home order can resume operations. But the governor’s executive order issued later Thursday carves out just one exception: cosmetic stores.
What remains to be seen is how soon businesses which voluntarily closed days before the governor’s March order -- such as Powell’s Books or IKEA -- will reopen. Some might not yet feel it’s safe.
What’s not changing?
Throughout Brown’s stay-at-home order, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, credit unions and gas stations always have been allowed to remain open.
Restaurants and bars have been allowed to offer take-out service.
Hospitals and medical clinics remained open for urgent procedures and some offered nonurgent care if it didn’t require any personal protective gear, such as masks. Starting May 1, the governor reversed that order and allowed hospitals, medical and dental clinics and veterinary offices to restart elective procedures that required masks or other protective gear.
Public schools are still closed statewide.
What’s still off-limits in the Portland area?
In addition to indoor and outdoor malls, restaurants and bars are still prohibited from offering dine-in service.
Cultural, civic or faith gatherings of more than 25 people are still banned, too. Social gatherings of more than 10 people are forbidden. Smaller groups are allowed if participants physically distance themselves.
Can I leave the Portland area to get a haircut in another county or visit the beach?
The governor said Thursday the answer is no, although it doesn’t appear she plans to enforce that.
Brown asked Portland-area residents to hold tight and resist the urge to drive to another county to get a haircut, dine out at a restaurant or visit a tourist sites.
“I know this is really hard," Brown said. "I know many of us are really wanting to get our hair done, get our haircut, whatever you need to do, but we are asking folks in the metro area to be thoughtful of their fellow Oregonians and to stay home and limit their travel to essential need. ... We obviously don’t want to overwhelm the rest of Oregon by traveling outside the metro area.”
Brown also said police won’t be stopping Portlanders who are heading out for a visit to the coast, but she asked that metro area residents respect her direction, which is meant to lessen the spread of COVID-19.
If retail stores can reopen, can I leave my home to go window shopping?
That’s unclear. Brown said Thursday during a news conference broadcast on the internet that her order still stands for the Portland metro area: Residents should stay at home and venture out only for “essential tasks.”
“We are asking people to stay at home in the metropolitan area," Brown said.
But if retail stores have the governor’s permission to reopen, is the governor saying it’s OK to leave home to shop for jewelry, toys or other non-essential items?
Merah, the governor’s spokeswoman, later pointed to the governor’s order, which grants permission for people to leave for “consumer needs." But the order also says “(w)henever possible, Oregonians should travel the minimum distance necessary to or from a home, residence, or workplace.”
Are there new rules for stores that open for business?
Yes. Retailers must “focus on maintaining at least six feet of distance between people and employees,” limit occupancy so stores don’t get too crowded and frequently sanitize commonly touched surfaces, among other measures.
That includes wiping down fitting rooms’ door knobs and seats after a customer uses them. If stores do open fitting rooms, customers “should” wash or sanitize their hands before and after trying on clothes.
“There are no scientific data to indicate that clothing items are a major means of spread of the coronavirus,” reads a document written by the Oregon Health Authority offering guidance to retailers. “Any risk from this exposure is likely to be very low. Items that have been in a fitting room can be set aside for a day or longer if the retailer is concerned about perceived risks from clothing that has been tried on by customers.”
The health authority also advises stores that they can take additional precautions with returns.
“When processing returns, employees should wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after handling items,” the agency states. “Retailer may set items aside for a day or longer if concerned about perceived risks of exposure.”
Stores must not allow customers to try on items that are worn on the head, such as sunglasses, scarves and headbands.
Employees must wear face coverings or masks, which must be provided by employers. Customers are “strongly” encouraged to wear face coverings, too.
-- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.