Oregon Governor’s Order ‘Stay Home, Save Lives,’ Closes Some Businesses, Imposes Distancing, Work From Home Requirements on Others

Oregon Governor Kate Brown has issued Executive Order No. 20-12, partially restricting social and recreational activities, closing certain businesses, and requiring social distancing or work from home at other businesses.

The Executive Order also restricts public access to buildings occupied by the State Executive Branch and imposes limits on childcare facilities.

The following businesses are ordered to close at 12:01 a.m. on March 24, 2020:

• Amusement parks;
• Aquariums; Arcades;
• Art galleries (to the extent that they are open without appointment);
• Barber shops and hair salons;
• Bowling alleys;
• Cosmetic stores;
• Dance studios;
• Esthetician practices;
• Fraternal organization facilities;
• Furniture stores;
• Gyms and fitness studios (including climbing gyms);
• Hookah bars;
• Indoor and outdoor malls (i.e., all portions of a retail complex containing stores and restaurants in a single area);
• Indoor party places (including jumping gyms and laser tag);
• Jewelry shops and boutiques (unless they provide goods exclusively through pick-up or delivery service);
• Medical spas, facial spas, day spas, and non-medical massage therapy services;
• Museums;
• Nail and tanning salons;
• Non-tribal card rooms;
• Skating rinks;
• Senior activity centers;
• Ski resorts;
• Social and private clubs;
• Tattoo/piercing parlors;
• Tennis clubs;
• Theaters;
• Yoga studios; and
• Youth clubs.

Restaurants providing take-out or delivery services exclusively can remain open, and the businesses listed above may continue to operate food, grocery, healthcare, medical, pharmacy, or pet store services.

Other retail businesses may remain open if they designate an employee or officer to establish, implement, and enforce social distancing policies, consistent with guidance from the Oregon Health Authority.

Businesses and nonprofit entities with offices in Oregon must facilitate telework and work-at-home by employees to the maximum extent possible. Working in offices is prohibited whenever telework and work-at-home options are available, considering the position, duties, availability of teleworking equipment, and network adequacy. When telework and work-from-home options are not available, businesses and nonprofits must designate an employee or officer to establish, implement, and enforce social distancing policies, consistent with guidance from the Oregon Health Authority.

Jackson Lewis has a dedicated team tracking and responding to the developing issues facing employers in this difficult time. If you need guidance in handling the complicated issues pertaining to COVID-19, contact a Jackson Lewis attorney to discuss.