2/28/22: Some COVID-19 Workplace Mandates & Restrictions Will Lift Soon: What Employers Should Know

February 28, 2022

Governor Kate Brown announced this morning that masks will no longer be required in most indoor settings, including schools, effective March 12, 2022.  With the exception of healthcare settings, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will no longer mandate that employers require their employees or others in the workplace to wear masks indoors. Multnomah County will still require masks in certain county buildings, such as healthcare and corrections settings.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it is changing its guidance for when individuals should wear masks or take other COVID-19 precautions. The CDC analyzes the number of hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the number of COVID-19 cases in a given area and it assigns a low, medium, or high “community level” rating. In low community levels, the CDC recommends individuals wear masks based on their personal preference. In medium community levels, the CDC recommends individuals at high risk for severe illness (such as those 65 years or older or those with compromised immune systems) wear masks. In high community levels, the CDC recommends that everyone wear masks in indoor settings.

For all three levels, the CDC recommends that people continue to get vaccinated and boosted, individuals with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 wear masks, and individuals get tested for COVID-19 if they experience symptoms. As of February 28, 2022, the CDC has assigned a “medium” community level to the three Oregon counties in the Portland-metro area.

Once Oregon’s mask mandate ends, it’s entirely up to employers if they want to require their employees or others in the workplace to wear masks. Employers also have discretion to mandate that their employees be vaccinated against COVID-19, provided they allow for disability and religious accommodations.  

While government mandates are ending, public health officials warn that COVID-19 is still a threat. Accordingly, employers should monitor COVID-19 in the workplace to protect the health and safety of their employees, and to minimize business disruption when outbreaks occur.

Meanwhile, Oregon OSHA has announced that it is re-visiting other COVID-19 workplace rules concerning infection control planning, exposure risk assessments, sanitation, and notification requirements. It is unclear when Oregon OSHA will rescind these requirements.

Click to access a PDF of this Electronic Alert.

For any questions about mask mandates or navigating COVID-19 in the workplace, contact the Barran Liebman team at 503-228-0500.