OHA lifts Oregon mask requirements for indoor public spaces and schools on March 19

February 24, 2022 

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will lift mask requirements for indoor public spaces and Oregon’s schools on March 19. Earlier this month, OHA announced that the K-12 mask rule would be lifted on March 31. The reason for the change is that COVID-19 hospitalizations are expected to fall below 400 or fewer Oregonians per day by March 19. 

Please note that the North Marion School Board will review an optional masking plan for the School District on March 14. Also, the U.S. Department of Transportation rule requiring masks be worn on school buses is also scheduled to end next month, specifically, March 18, 2022.

In addition, over the past several days, Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and OHA have been talking with local school and public health officials who wanted the dates for lifting the mask requirement in schools and in general indoor public spaces to be the same. ODE has provided the following suggestions:

• It is important to continue using indoor face coverings in schools until March 19 to help Oregon overcome its largest COVID-19 surge, and OAR 333-019-1015 will remain in effect until March 19.

• Even after statewide face covering requirements are lifted, state officials strongly recommend that:

  • Everyone keeps masking in indoor K–12 settings, and students and staff in high-risk groups continue to wear masks in indoor public settings.

  • High-risk groups include people who are: unvaccinated, medically fragile, 65 and older, and have underlying health conditions.

As we move into this new stage, we want to say thank you to all of our staff members and our community. Without everyone’s hard work and unity, this year of in-person learning could not have happened. I believe that we will always look back at this time in our history and see our school staff as the heroes that they have been and continue to be for our children and families. We will also see our families as the strong and supportive community we have always known them to be. Thank you for all that you have done and that you continue to do.

Sincerely,

Ginger Redlinger

Superintendent