JoCo is starting with Phase 1 Re-Opening as community response to the pandemic evolves...

According to a county press release, Josephine County started Phase 1 of Oregon’s Public Health Framework for Reopening Oregon yesterday, May 15.

The Board of Josephine County Commissioners was notified on the evening of May 13 that the Governor’s Office had approved the county’s application to enter Phase 1. Staff of the Josephine County Public Health Department submitted the application to the state government on May 7, and a copy of the application can be seen at: co.josephine.or.us/COVID19

Phase 1 re-opening will be limited to only those sectors specified under the governor’s plan, including businesses such as restaurants, bars and salons. As part of this reopening, schools will continue with online and virtual learning options, and gatherings will be limited to 25 individuals or fewer. Counties must remain in Phase 1 for at least 21 days before becoming eligible to advance to Phase 2.

I want to remind listeners that every other Tuesday at 6pm, as an ongoing part of our local news and interview show Valley News and Views, we have Josephine County Public Health Director Mike Weber and Public Health Officer Dr. David Candelaria with us live on the phone to provide up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic and the local response to it. If you have questions for our guests please send them to news@kxcj.org.

We'll continue looking at state-wide and JoCo stats, as well as advice from JoCo Public Health in the days ahead, as we decide what the next steps are here at the station building. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to write or call us at 592-4112. We'll get through this together!