Spring Term COVID-19 Updates

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It’s now week two of spring term. Since winter term ended the COVID-19 mandates have changed a lot within the state as well as LBCC.

An Aviso System update email was sent out last Monday on the first day of this term. Here’s what it said:

Welcome back from Spring Break! As we transition into spring term, LBCC is following state guidance and making mask-wearing optional. Please be supportive of those who continue masking. Here are a few other reminders regarding COVID safety:

If you have tested for COVID-19; AND, have been given positive results, please fill out the COVID-19 form, as we need to continue to monitor our campus for outbreaks.
If you test positive, regardless of your vaccine status, please isolate yourself for five (5) days and wear a well-fitting mask for five (5) additional days.
As a reminder, please do not come to campus if you have any COVID symptoms or if you are not feeling well.

You can find updated information on the LBCC COVID page throughout the term.

You can also find LBCC’s spring term COVID education plan here.

Kate Brown announced on Feb 28 that she’d be lifting the state-wide mask mandate for Oregon in accordance with Washington and California governors' decisions to do the same. Brown set the date for midnight on March 11.

LBCC’s Board of Education had made the decision earlier in winter term to keep the mandate until the term ended which was officially March 18.

All Oregon school districts and colleges are now able to choose whether they want to continue the mandate. The date chosen fell on the Friday before schools go on spring break which was intentional just in case mandates changed in that week.

There are certain exceptions to the lift right now, but most of these are set to lift later in the season.

The federal law still requires masks on public transportation like buses, subways, trains, aeroplanes, ferries, and taxis. Because these are federally mandated, these don’t follow the state mandates but are set to lift sometime soon. Businesses will also continue to have the choice whether or not to have a mandate in their stores.

The OHA, however, states that they have no plans to lift mask mandates in healthcare settings like hospitals, doctor offices, dentist offices, urgent cares, birthing centers, rehab centers, assisted living and hospice housing, nursing facilities, and ambulatory surgical and care centers.

Vaccines have been mandated for childcare settings, teachers, and health care workers. These mandates are not set to lift anytime soon. This is a guide to current vaccination guidelines.

Every individual in Oregon is currently free to choose whether they’d like to continue masking or not. There are places that do still require masks.

Looking for more information? Use the following links to more in-depth updates:

– For news

Oregon and Washington State, known for cautious Covid strategies, lift their statewide mask mandates. - The New York Times

Oregon health officials discuss March 12 mask end date - 9news.com

FAQ: What to know when Oregon's COVID-19 mask rule drops March 12 - progress-index.com

– For administrative updates

Oregon Mask Requirements - govestatus.egov.com

Mask mandate stays in place for Oregon health care settings - Oregon Vaccine News - covidblog.oregon.gov

OHA COVID-19 News and Reports - External Relations Division

COVID-19 and Oregon OSHA - Workplace Advisory Memos

BOLI : COVID Vaccinations and the Workplace - For Workers

– Mandate laws

Oregon Secretary of State Administrative Rules