SALEM — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced on Tuesday, Dec. 1, updates to county risk levels under the state’s new public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19.

Starting Dec. 3 through Dec. 17, 25 counties, including Morrow and Umatilla, Union and Baker counties, will be in the Extreme Risk level, five counties will be High Risk, two counties will be Moderate Risk and four counties will be Lower Risk.

“Counties that are facing extreme risk of virus spread will need to continue with strict health and safety measures, similar to the two-week freeze,” Brown said. “I want to stress that there is no zero-risk category. Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available and we have high participation, health and safety precautions will remain in place so that schools, businesses, and communities can reopen — and stay open.”

The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

“I am asking all Oregonians to take these measures seriously,” Brown said. “The best way to protect those closest to you is by maintaining physical distance from others, avoiding gatherings, wearing a face covering, staying home when sick, and keeping up with good hand hygiene.”

The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week’s data will provide a “warning week” to prepare counties for potential risk level changes.

The next assignment of risk levels will take effect Dec. 18.

The order came amid a spike in cases as more Oregonians planned travel during the Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas holidays. The state reported 1,244 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 and 18 deaths on Dec. 2, a day after 1,233 new cases and 24 deaths were reported on Dec. 1. The 24 deaths are the highest for a single day since the pandemic began, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

The state has had 78,160 cases and 953 deaths since the virus was first reported in the state at the end of February, the state reported.

Gatherings with people outside of your household will be limited to a maximum of six people with a recommended limit of two households.

Restaurants, bars, and other eating and drinking establishments will be limited to a maximum of 50 people for outdoor dining only, with only six people per table. Take-out is strongly encouraged.

Indoor recreation, fitness, and entertainment establishments, including gyms, will remain closed.

Outdoor recreation, fitness, and entertainment activities, including outdoor gym activities, will be allowed, with a maximum limit of 50 people.

Retail stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, and indoor and outdoor shopping centers and malls will be limited to a maximum of 50% of capacity, with curbside pick-up encouraged.

Faith institutions, funeral homes, mortuaries, and cemeteries will be limited to a maximum of 25% of capacity or 100 people indoors (whichever is smaller), or 150 people outdoors.

Office workplaces will be required to utilize remote work to the maximum extent possible, with offices closed to the general public.

Personal services businesses will be allowed to continue to operate with health and safety measures currently in place.

Long-term care facilities can allow limited outdoor visitation, following current rules.

Effective Thursday, Dec. 3

Lower Risk: (4)

Gilliam

Sherman

Wallowa

Wheeler

Moderate Risk (2)

Harney

Tillamook

High Risk (5)

Benton

Clatsop

Coos

Curry

Lincoln

Extreme Risk (25)

Baker

Clackamas

Columbia

Crook

Deschutes

Douglas

Grant

Hood River

Jackson

Jefferson

Josephine

Klamath

Lake

Lane

Linn

Malheur

Marion

Morrow

Multnomah

Polk

Umatilla

Union

Wasco

Washington

Yamhill