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Posted on: June 30, 2020 June 30 City of Eugene Community Update - COVID-19 We provided our last community update a few weeks ago, promising to email again when we had new information regarding the response to COVID-19. We feel that this week is an appropriate opportunity to touch base again following Governor Kate Brown’s recent decision to extend the face covering requirement statewide beginning July 1. While we’ve been in Phase 2 for several weeks, the number of active cases in our community continues to grow. Our teams continue to work closely with health experts at Lane County Public health and the Oregon Health Authority. Face coverings mandatory statewide Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, face coverings are required statewide in indoor spaces that are open to the public, including businesses. Governor Brown shared that the decision came, in part, because of the significant jump in COVID-19 cases both in urban and rural counties. “The upcoming July 4th holiday weekend is a critical point for Oregon in this pandemic, and we can all make a difference,” said Governor Brown. The face covering requirement extends to businesses, including: Grocery storesFitness-related organizationsPharmaciesPublic transit agencies and providersRestaurants, bars, breweries, brewpubs, wineries, tasting room and distilleriesRetail stores, shopping centers and mallsRide sharing services “Face coverings that cover your nose and mouth play a critical role in reducing the spread of this disease,” said Brown. “If we all wear face coverings, practice six feet of physical distancing in public, wash our hands regularly, and stay home when we’re sick, then we can avoid the worst-case scenarios that are now playing out in other states.” Learn more about face covering requirements. Eugene awarded $2.8 million in CARES Act funding While the financial impacts of COVID-19 won’t be known for years, the City recently received funding to help…

Posted on: May 27, 2020 May 27 City of Eugene Community Update - COVID-19 Good morning Eugene, There has been slow and steady progress to safely reopen in the last two weeks. Since we entered Phase 1 of Governor Kate Brown’s reopening plan, local businesses are starting to reopen under new circumstances and community members are able to gather in small groups with physical distancing. Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis said last week in a speech that working together has helped us get this far, and it will help us continue down a path of progress. “Please understand that this is a team effort,” Vinis said. “We are all in this together and have a responsibility to one another.” We are encouraged to see businesses open their closed doors with provisions in place for physical distancing. The return of childcare to our Rec centers and the offering of summer camps is a positive sign, too.   As we return to public places we should be mindful of protocols in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19. We want to thank everyone for being safe over Memorial Day Weekend and also remind people that while businesses and restaurants are starting to open, we aren’t out of the woods yet and it’s only through constant vigilance that we can move toward Phase 2. Local Businesses Update An anecdote from a local business owner Since the beginning of the pandemic the City and its partners have worked closely with local business owners. The following is just one example of what we’re hearing in the community about the challenges people and businesses are facing. Falling Sky owner Rob Cohen reopened a part of his business in early May, but he and other Eugene brewpub and restaurant owners face a challenging future. After being shut…