Plan for Reopening
Malheur County

April 28, 2020
Prepared based on Governor Kate Brown’s Reopening Oregon: A Public Health
Framework for Restarting Public Life and Business

 Purpose
The purpose of this plan is to provide guidance to those involved in the process of reopening
public life and business in Malheur County during the SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus
known as COVID-19) pandemic and to give needed information for the implementation of
individual local plans.
Due to the dynamic situation, these guidelines will be handled as an adaptive management plan
or living document. This means that as information is made available or changes, or that state
orders or standards are issued, this information will be discussed, addressed, and then reflected in
this plan promptly.

Table of Contents
Section I Overview

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Section II Gating Criteria and Preparedness
Gating Criteria
Symptoms
Cases
COVID-19 Taskforce
Hospitals
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Core State Preparedness
Testing and Contact Tracing
Personal Protective Equipment
Health Care System Capacity
Surge Plans
Ambulance Resources
Mutual Aid Agreement
Public Information
Nursing Homes and LTCF
Vulnerable Populations
Houselessness
Isolation and Quarantine Strategy
Mass Transit

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Section III Reopening Phases
Phased Lifting of Restrictions
Employers
Reopening Projected Timeline
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3

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 Section IV Submission

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Section I: Overview
Malheur County is located in rural Eastern Oregon with 9,926 square miles in the southeasternmost corner of the state. By definition, Malheur County is considered “frontier” with a mere 3.2
persons per square mile – although the population is fairly clustered together in small
communities. The local economy is largely based on agriculture and farming, and the county is
94% rangeland. Malheur County’s greatest resource is its people. According to 2018 US Census
Bureau data, Malheur County has 30,725 people. Thirty-four percent of the population is
Hispanic and approximately the same percentage of people speak a language other than English
at home. Approximately 50 refugee families are currently settling in Ontario, the county’s largest
city. In addition to Ontario, Jordan Valley, and Vale, there are several other communities of size
in Malheur County: Nyssa and Adrian are incorporated cities, while Juntura, Ironside, Jamieson,
Westfall, Harper, Arock, Annex and Brogan are unincorporated communities.
Malheur County’s greatest challenges include poverty (3 rd lowest median household income in
Oregon), severe housing problems (23% of households), poor health factors (ranked 33rd worst of
35 surveyed counties), childhood poverty (31%), teen pregnancy rate (more than double the state
average), and childhood abuse and neglect (33rd worst in state)1. These hardships mean that many
residents of Malheur County live in chronic crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has added an acute
crisis on top of the daily crises created by poverty. Many people in the community do not have
the means to be “two weeks ready,” to work from home, to social distance in crowded homes, or
even to take their temperature regularly with a thermometer. The economic and social impacts of
the national mitigation efforts have had catastrophic effects to the already extremely vulnerable
population. Reopening sectors of public life and business while reducing the risks of COVID-19
are needed to start repairing the damage to the social structures in the community that protect
individuals, families, businesses, and the resilience vitally needed right now.
Fortunately, there have only been seven lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Malheur
County, representing 0.0002% of the population. No person testing positive for COVID-19 has
been hospitalized and there has been no positive case in congregate care or other high-risk
setting. The county has an interdepartmental team of Incident Command System (ICS) assigned
personnel to a COVID-19 Taskforce, a health care provider team coordinated by public health,
and a community wide multi-agency committee, led by the county Emergency Manager. Each of
these groups meet virtually at least weekly and preparedness communication is ongoing and
effective.
The key stakeholders from these teams agree that the county is prepared for a slow increase in
cases and that the criteria for opening and the spirit of the guidelines have been met with
significant preparation. Malheur County shares a border with Idaho, who will be entering the
first phase of reopening the state on May 1st. With tens of thousands of people crossing the
border from Ontario to Fruitland, Idaho and from Fruitland to Ontario daily in typical situations,
1Data sources: 2019 County Health Rankings, 2019 Children First for Oregon, Saint Alphonsus
Ontario Community Health Needs Assessment, United States Census.

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 Malheur must consider the implications of Idaho’s reopening on individuals and businesses and
the unique needs of a border community. Reopening Malheur County in a cautious, wellmanaged way, following the Governor’s vision, will reduce the social damage that has unevenly
hurt the most vulnerable while protecting those at high risk and promoting the holistic health and
wellbeing of all.

Section II: Gating Criteria and Preparedness
A. State Gating Criteria
1. Symptoms
 (Downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19-similar
syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period)
2. Cases
 (Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period or positive
tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume
of tests))
Current Status
As of April 28, 2020, Malheur County has seven lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. The
first positive case was reported on March 30, 2020. Malheur County has reported positive and
negative tests each day since. The Malheur County Health and Emergency Management
departments have worked extensively with local health care providers and the state to increase
testing and ensure that those who are symptomatic and high risk are able to be tested. Even with
increased testing, the rate of positive tests has not risen over three percent.
Epidemiological Diagrams of Malheur COVID-19

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 While continued testing is needed going forward,
Malheur County is currently performing enough tests to identify the spread of COVID-19.
According to recent reporting from NPR, “you want a low percentage of your tests to come back
positive, around 10% or even lower, says William Hanage, an epidemiologist at Harvard. That
10% benchmark is based on recommendations from the World Health Organization. Why should
positives be low? If a high percentage of tests come back positive, it's clear there's not enough
testing to capture all of the infected people in the community.”
The positive rate for Malheur County over the last month has ranged from only 1.5 – 3.0%. The
efforts of our community and the state have suppressed a potential outbreak that could have
overwhelmed the health care system. No COVID-19 positive case has been hospitalized and
there have been no COVID-19 deaths in the county. With continued social distancing, education,
and enforcement, public life and business in Malheur County can carefully resume with the steps
outlined in this plan. The health and safety of our community is our priority, and this trend of
slow or no growth must continue.

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 The rate for new cases has decreased slightly over the last two weeks. Overall, there has not been
a surge of new cases. The number of cases in the first two-week period from March 30 until
April 13 was four. In the two weeks since, from April 14 until April 28, there have been three
new cases. With so few cases, it is difficult to calculate a daily rate, but the rate over the last two
weeks, even with significantly increased testing, has gone down.
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Ontario, Valley Family Health Care, and Snake River Pediatrics
all responded to report a flat or downward trajectory of influenza-like illness or COVID-19similar symptoms over the past 14 days in patients.
Plan for Reopening
A phased approach to reopening will keep the COVID-19 positive growth rate curve or line
relatively flat. If no Management Action Points are reached within a two-week period (the 14day incubation period of the virus), then it would be permissible to move to the next phase.
Taking small, calculated steps will allow the economy to start reopening through a strategic
approach that protects the health of the community and the capacity of the health care system to
care for those most ill.
COVID-19 Taskforce
The COVID-19 Taskforce will continuously evaluate the numbers of tests done, positive tests
and the information collected during contact tracing. The COVID-19 Taskforce will supervise
this Reopening Malheur County Plan. They could change the Management Action Points in each
reopening phase based on information, such as positive tests from a Long-Term Care Facility
(LTCF).
The ICS assigned Malheur County personnel to the COVID-19 Taskforce are:
 Incident Commander (IC): Lieutenant Rich Harriman
 Public Information Officer (PIO): Sarah Poe
 Safety Officer: Craig Geddes

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Liaison Officer: Rebecca Stricker
Planning Section Chief: Eric Evans
Logistics Section Chief: Tom Edwards, supporting IC Rich Harriman

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Operations Section Chief: Angie Gerrard
Finance/Administration Section Chief: Peggy Winslow

In consultation with the Malheur County Health Department (MCHD), the following
Management Action Points should be evaluated if additional positive cases occur.
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Management Action Points:
o Positive Cases per week: 20
o Hospitalized Cases: 4
o Patients on a Ventilator: 2
o Surrounding Area Hospitals Capacity: 30%

If any of these Management Action Points are reached, a HOLD (described in Section III) will be
placed on moving forward with any other public life or business sector reopening to allow time
for more case investigation to occur. Based on the data provided through contact tracing and
testing, the COVID-19 Taskforce will determine the need to continue to hold, or take steps
backward, until the curve of the outbreak flattens or projects downward.
3. Gating Criteria: Hospitals
Current Status
Malheur County will continue to increase testing capacity and aims to continue to keep a positive
rate of less than 10%. Several health care providers are performing outpatient COVID-19 testing
locally with three different commercial labs (Quest, LabCorp and University of Washington).
This availability creates reliability for continued testing resources, along with the efforts of the
county Emergency Management, which has secured over 150 tests for drive-up testing sites
beginning April 29, 2020 in Ontario.
Robust testing has been defined for the State of Oregon as 15,000 tests per week. Based on
Malheur County’s population (.007% of the population of Oregon), 105 tests per week would
need to be conducted for those that meet the criteria set by Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Ontario reports adequate testing capacity for patients and at-risk
health care workers, and an ability to treat all patients without crisis care.
Plan for Reopening
Additional testing kits will be necessary to sustain a reopening plan. Currently, Malheur County
is following the guidance provided by OHA when testing patients for COVID-19. Requests for
sufficient tests are being managed by both Emergency Management and individual health care
providers, including Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Ontario. Malheur County Emergency
Management will continue to use the state’s existing Ops Center to make requests for additional
testing media from the state. Ops Center is an electronic software tool that aids in the

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 management of events. A request for 1,000 tests has been submitted in Ops Center and a delivery
of 150 testing media has been received, with additional deliveries anticipated.
B. Core State Preparedness
 Testing and Contact Tracing
 Healthcare System Capacity
 Plans
MCHD has the lead on Case Investigations and Contact Tracing pursuant to guidelines provided
by OHA. See Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Interim Investigative Guidelines,
available through OHA.
MCHD currently has three nursing staff assigned to Case Investigations and Contact Tracing.
The COVID-19 Investigation Team will be led by the Nursing Supervisor, Communicable
Disease Nurse, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (also a Registered
Nurse). An additional seven MCHD staff have been identified to assist as needed. Two retired
nurse volunteers, an Environmental Health employee, and two Eastern Oregon Modernization
Collaborative staff members are also available if needed. Four of the above listed team members
have ORPHEUS (Oregon’s Communicable Disease Database) access. With a total potential of 15
people to do contact tracing, Malheur County is prepared to handle 30 cases each week, with a
high estimate of 20 hours per case. This is well above the 20 cases in the Management Action
Points that could trigger a hold or regression in reopening phases. Should additional support be
needed, MCHD will contact OHA Acute and Communicable Disease Program for additional
assistance.
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE supply and the current supply chain is adequate for the needs identified in the phases
described below in Section III. Each sector has prioritized business types, so that if the resupply
rate of PPE become strained, a structured slowdown of PPE use can occur. Saint Alphonsus
Medical Center Ontario has adequate PPE supplies on hand and will maintain a 30-day supply.
Many sectors do not need medical grade PPE. With the implementation of cloth face coverings,
there is less of a drain on the current supply chain for medical grade PPE. A local group of
sewing volunteers called Mask Ontario Save Our City, has distributed 450 cloth face coverings
already and is donating another 500 to MCHD through May to be given away at the COVID-19
testing sites. An additional 200 cloth face coverings have been donated and another 300 secured
for a total of 1,000 cloth face coverings distributed just through the Emergency Operation efforts.
Several non-medical, local essential businesses are encouraging the customers and staff to wear
cloth face coverings and public support is growing.
The sector with the most need for medical grade PPE is Professional Services, which includes
the hospital, clinics, LTCF, adult foster homes, the Ambulance Service District and First
Responders. The Emergency Manager has been in communication with this group regularly to
ensure adequate resources to meet 30-day supply as well as surge needs of PPE items, including
N95 Masks, Surgical Masks, Gowns, Gloves, Face Shields. Distribution of PPE is based on
Interim OHA Prioritization Guidelines for Allocation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),

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 dated Mar. 17, 2020 from the OHA. Until the supply chain is fully back to normal, reuse
guidelines will remain in effect.
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Ontario is committed to maintaining an adequate hospital
capacity in case of an increase in COVID-19 cases. Hospital bed availability will remain at or
above 20% in order to accommodate the potential for an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Surge Plans
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Ontario Surge Plan
 Plan A: Cohort ICU into two sides. ICU rooms 240-242 for Non-COVID ICU/SDU
patients. Rooms 243-245 for COVID rule-out (or positive) patients.
 Plan B (in addition with Plan A): Cohort Med-Surg into two separate care areas. MedSurg rooms 206-211 and 221-226 (except 223) will be used for Non-COVID patients.
Rooms 212-220 and negative pressure room 223 will be for COVID rule-out (or positive)
patients.
 Plan C (in addition with Plans A & B): Old CCU rooms 201 to 204 becoming the MedSurg overflow rooms. Additional five beds with 203 being a double bed room. Rooms are
ready to use.
 Plan D (in addition with Plans A, B & C): Old second floor key hole rooms 234 to 237
with double beds in each room becoming Med-Surg overflow and possible COVID-19
room depending on need. Additional eight beds with Plan D.
 Plan E (in addition with Plans A, B, C & D): Old third floor key hole rooms 334 to 337
with double beds in each room becoming Med-Surge overflow and possible COVID-19
room depending on need. Additional eight beds with Plan E.
 A copy of the Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Ontario Surge Plan and letter detailing the
hospital’s preparedness and commitment is attached to this document.
Malheur County Surge Plan Summary
The purpose of the Malheur County Medical Surge Plan is to strengthen medical surge response
capability for COVID-19, through a coordinated, collaborative, regional approach. This surge
plan coordinates the response actions for Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Ontario, Malheur
County Health Department, medical clinics, long term care facilities, other health care agencies,
and emergency response entities. MCHD works closely with the OHA, both city and county
Emergency Management teams, health care providers, and other regional health departments to
monitor the COVID-19 outbreak. Best practices for communicable disease case investigation are
followed. Frequent public health messaging is posted and distributed, as much of the response to
COVID-19 has been ensuring the public is educated and can access needed resources and
information.
Several Alternative Care Sites have been identified and are on standby for use for lower acuity
hospital patients transferred from the hospital. With the COVID-19 Taskforce as part of the
Incident Command System, over a dozen agencies have partnered with the county in preparation
for a heightened emergency response and Alternative Care Site agreements.
Malheur County Ambulance Service District
Emergency Response Transport Ground Ambulance Resources:

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Treasure Valley Paramedics:
o Five fully equipped Advanced Life Support Ambulances
Treasure Valley Paramedics – Nyssa
o Two fully equipped Intermediate Life support Ambulances
Vale Ambulance (Vale ASA)
o Two fully equipped Intermediate Life Support Ambulances
Jordan Valley Ambulance
o Two fully equipped Intermediate Life Support Ambulances

Additional Non-Emergency/Inter-Facility Transporting Ambulance Services
 Life Flight Network
o One fully equipped Advanced Life Support Helicopter (stationed at Ontario
Airport) and one fully equipped Pilatus fixed wing aircraft, available on request.
(Stationed at Boise Airport)
Mutual Aid Agreements
Mutual aid agreements between the various emergency response jurisdictions is critical for a
medical surge event since any one Malheur County agency/department may not have the human
and equipment resources to respond to multiple calls for service. Multiple mutual aid agreements
are in place and being reviewed by the Taskforce.
Public Information
Medical care messages will be collaborated with the partnering agencies in a surge event. This
will be done through a Joint Information System (JIS). The messages from each partner agency
will be shared with the other so a common message can be shared from the Public Information
Officers (PIOs) to the public. PIOs from MCHD and Saint Alphonsus will work together in
distributing the messages to the public.
Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
Given their congregate nature and resident population served, nursing home populations are at
the highest risk of being affected by COVID-19. During this roll out (see Section III, Phase 3)
these facilities are encouraged to maintain strict mitigation efforts for two reasons. First, it keeps
these vulnerable populations safe in this uncharted reopening with a novel virus. Second, it
would keep PPE usage down and available for hospitals and clinics should a surge event occur.
Given the high risk of spread once COVID-19 enters a LTCF, facilities must act immediately to
protect residents, families, and staff from serious illness, complications, and death. Strategies
include recommendations to:
 Keep COVID-19 from entering your facility
 Identify infections early
 Prevent spread of COVID-19
 Assess supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and initiate measures to optimize
current supply
 Identify and manage severe illness

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 Nursing Homes/LTCF must continue to limit visitation and follow prevention protocols.
Additional guidance should be reviewed regularly from the Oregon Department of Human
Services and the CDC.
Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable Populations are defined as:
o People 60 years and older
o People with a BMI of 40 or more
o People who live or work in a nursing home or long-term care facility, jail, prison,
group home or other congregate care setting
o Workers in critical infrastructure, frontline healthcare provider or first responder
o People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well
controlled, including:
 Routinely take cortisone, prednisone or other steroids, anti-cancer drugs,
or had radiation treatments
 Have a condition that weakens your immune system (cancer treatment,
bone marrow or organ transplant, HIV with low CD4 count or not treated)
 Pregnant
 Diabetes
 Lung disease (moderate to severe asthma, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary
or cystic fibrosis)
 Cardiovascular disease (heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital
heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension)
 High blood pressure
 Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
 Chronic liver disease
Houselessness
Should an individual or family that is experiencing houselessness contract COVID-19 or be
identified as a contact of a known COVID-19 case, MCHD will work with the established
Ontario Homeless Provider Team, organized by Saint Alphonsus. MCHD Contact Investigators
will coordinate temporary shelter at one of three hotels arranged. The Homeless Provider Team
will convene for each case within 24 hours case identification and need to provide the necessities
of daily living, food, laundry, and medications while the person who tests positive is kept in
isolation. Community In Action, the local Community Services Network agency engaged in
housing services, will follow up with each case and provide needed referrals and resources for
the whole family.
Isolation and Quarantine Strategy
In order to reopen Malheur County, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and quarantine will
intensify to reduce transmission as social distancing measures are slowly lifted.
Unless there is a need for medical services, it is recommended those that test positive for
COVID-19 and/or have signs and symptoms, stay isolated at home until they have been
symptom free for 72 hours to protect the health and safety of the public, workers in critical

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 industries, high risk facilities, and all other sectors. Detailed guidance will be given for all people
identified through contact tracing, through the call-in Nurse Line, and in continued public health
messaging across various platforms.
Contact monitoring will be done through active surveillance, which involves staying in regular
contact with persons diagnosed with COVID-19 and their contacts, in order to isolate and rapidly
respond to changes in their health conditions. Active surveillance for COVID-19 includes
expanding testing, identifying and investigating cases through broad contact tracing, and
identifying and quickly intervening in disease transmission among at-risk groups and clusters of
cases. COVID-19 positive cases will be isolated until they have been symptom free for 72 hours
or seven days from the onset of symptoms, whichever is longer.
Contacts of positive COVID-19 cases at risk will be notified and will be asked to quarantine in
their home for 14 days to monitor symptoms and to prevent transmission pre-symptomatically or
asymptomatically. Contacts of cases will be contacted daily during quarantine by call, text, video
or in person, if necessary, following CDC guidelines 2. If a contact develops symptoms, public
health staff will coordinate testing for those individuals. Case investigators will provide critical
support and linkages to ensure that individuals under isolation and quarantine receive the
necessary shelter, nutrition, mental health, social services, and other support while they are
isolated or quarantined.
Mass Transit
The Malheur Council on Aging & Community Services (MCOACS) manages the SRT Malheur
Express, which includes the following transit services:
 Door-to-Door Demand Response Service
 City of Ontario Fixed Route Service
 ParaTransit Services
 Ontario-Vale-Nyssa Commuter Route
 Non-Emergent Medical Transportation
 Veteran Rides
 Ontario Senior Meal site Transportation
 Local and Regional (Greyhound and Point)
MCOACS reports that their capacity has dropped by 50% and that they are observing all OHA
and Oregon Department of Transportation guidance. Each passenger is screened for COVID-19
symptoms by phone first and drivers wear masks. Their request for PPE was filled by the county
Emergency Management. Service levels will increase only when OHA and the Taskforce give the
clearance to do so. Vigorous sanitation measures and social distancing protocols will continue,
and the number of transit vehicles authorized to return to service will be limited to the number
needed to maintain those practices and provide public transportation in a safe manner.

2 Interim Infection Control Guidance for Public Health Personnel Evaluating PUIs and Asymptomatic Close
Contacts of Confirmed Cases

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 Section III: Reopening Phases
A. Phased Lifting of Restrictions
It is essential that as public life and non-essential businesses resume, people are vigilant about
doing what they can to reduce the risk of getting and sharing the coronavirus and recognize that
people can spread the virus without showing symptoms. During all phases, the ICS Team and
MCHD will provide messaging to continue to remind community members to practice the
principles of good hygiene to limit the spread of the virus:
 Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching
frequently used items or surfaces;
 Avoid touching your face;
 Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow;
 Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible;
 Wear a cloth face covering while in public, particularly when social distancing is not easy
to maintain.
Additional messages will center on instructing anyone who is sick:
 If you have symptoms, do not leave home: not to go work, school, stores, or anywhere
else except to access medical care;
 Contact and follow the advice of your medical provider;
 Stay home until you are symptom free for 72 hours (three days);
 Continue to adhere to State and local guidance as well as complementary CDC guidance,
particularly with respect to face coverings.
Continual education of employers and individuals throughout this process will be done to reduce
the spread of COVID-19. Employers and individuals should stay informed locally through the
MCHD, statewide through the OHA and Governor’s Office, and nationally through the CDC.
Employers
Each business operating must develop a plan and implement appropriate policies, in accordance
with Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance, and informed by industry best practices,
regarding:
● Social distancing and protective equipment
● Testing, isolating, and contact tracing
● Sanitation
● Use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas
● Business travel
Employers should monitor workforce for indicative symptoms. Do not allow symptomatic
people to physically return to work until they are symptom free for 72 hours. Develop and
implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following any employee
COVID-19 positive tests. MCHD can provide assistance.
Malheur County has created sectors to try and group similar business or groups that would have
similar requirements through the phases described below. The sectors are as follows:

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Retail - Essential (These would include those that are currently operating and are in
accordance with the Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives Order)
Retail - Non-Essential (Those that were closed due to the Governor’s Order)
Industrial / Manufacturing
Professional / Personal Services
Government
Restaurants/Food Services
Bars
Gyms
Theaters and other Large Venues
Other

Reopening Projected Timeline
Every two weeks: re-evaluation against criteria to determine feasibility to move from one stage
to the next. All criterial must be met to move phases and dates are estimated targets only.
 Phase One: May 8 – 22
 Phase Two: May 23 – June 5 (Only if no significant increase in cases and all criteria met)
 Phase Three: June 6 – 19 (Only if no significant increase in cases and all criteria met)
Phase One At A Glance
Individual
Vulnerable individuals
continue to shelter in place.

Business
Encourage telework and
return employees in phases.

Public and private gatherings
should be avoided.

Enforce social distancing
protocols.

Maximize physical distance
from others.
Minimize non-essential
travel.
Contacts of cases should
quarantine 14 days.

Reduce common use areas.

Anyone with symptoms must
isolate at home until 72 hours
after symptoms resolve.

Industrial/Manufacturing, all
retail, Professional/Personal
Services, Government and
Restaurant Dining Rooms
may open meeting criteria.

Minimize non-essential
travel.
Make accommodations for
high risk employees.

Business Specific
Visits to nursing homes,
LTCF, or congregate settings
(jail, prison) prohibited.
Emergency Child Care open.
Non-essential Child Care
closed until Governor’s order.
Gyms, Pools, Theaters and
other large venues closed.
Bars/nightclubs remain
closed.
Encourage all people to
practice social distancing and
frequent hand washing, and
to wear cloth face coverings.
Screen all employees for
symptoms before work.

Phase One
 General Guidelines – Individuals

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 o All vulnerable individuals should continue to quarantine at home. Members of
households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or
other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus
back home. Precautions should be taken to distance from vulnerable residents to
the extent possible.
o All individuals, when outside of their homes (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas,
shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings
of more than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should
be avoided unless cloth face coverings are worn by all.
o Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not
readily allow for appropriate physical distancing of six feet (e.g., receptions, trade
shows).
o Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding quarantine
following travel.

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General Guidelines – Employers
o Continue to encourage telework, whenever possible and feasible with business
operations.
o If possible, have employees return to work in phases.
o Reduce use of common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and
interact, or enforce strict social distancing protocols. Break rooms, kitchens,
conference rooms, etc. could be used if six-foot distance is maintained between
people and cloth face coverings are worn.
o Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding quarantine
following travel.
o Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a
vulnerable population. This would include physical barriers and the use of cloth
face coverings when social distance cannot be maintained.3
o Emergency Child Care continues under Oregon Department of Education
guidelines4. Child care for non-essential workers may reopen only with the
Governor’s order.
o Industrial/Manufacturing specific guidance:
 Maintain social distancing of six feet
 Recommend the use of cloth face coverings
 Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant
 Encourage employees to self-monitor for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and
COVID-19 signs and symptoms.
 No contact tracing is required unless a positive COVID-19 case occurs.
o Retail (Essential and Non-Essential) specific guidance:
 Maintain social distancing of six feet
 Recommend the use of cloth face coverings
 Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant

3 Federal Guidelines Opening Up America Again

4 Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division
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 Encourage employees to self-monitor for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and
COVID-19 signs and symptoms.
 No contact tracing is required unless a positive COVID-19 case occurs.
 Install physical barriers near cashier location and/or use cloth face
coverings when social distance cannot be maintained.
o Professional / Personal Services Group (beauticians, barbers, accountants,
lawyers, etc.) specific guidance:
 People that will be serving the public within six feet distance for over 15
minutes and did not use medical grade PPE prior to the pandemic, must
use a cloth face covering.
 If businesses used medical grade PPE, please see optimization / reuse
guidelines. Cloth face coverings will be required by provider and public.
 Appointments will be required (no walk-ins) and contact tracing will be
done through appointment logs with customer names and contact
information.
 Frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces will be required with
disinfectant.
 No physical barriers are needed due to the cloth face coverings.
 Limit number of people in waiting areas for social distancing.
o Government specific guidance:
 Maintain social distancing of six feet
 Recommend the use of cloth face coverings
 Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant
 Encourage employees to self-monitor for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and
COVID-19 signs and symptoms.
 No contact tracing is required unless a positive COVID-19 case occurs.
 All government buildings will be accessed through appointment only, with
the exception of restricted essential public health clinic services.
o Restaurant specific guidance:
 Maintain social distancing of six feet between tables, seating every other
booth/table or approximately 50% of normal capacity.
 Contact tracing data will be required to be collected with every patron’s
name, contact information, time in and out of the facility.
 Clean commonly touched surfaces and in between each new set of patron
booths/tables with disinfectant. Physical barriers should be implemented at
cashier locations.
 Employees in contact with patrons will wear a cloth face covering at all
times.
 Employees must self-monitor for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and
COVID-19 signs and symptoms and stay home when sick and contact
employer.



The COVID-19 Taskforce will monitor the situation for two weeks referencing Management
Action Points. While seriously considering any Management Action Points that are met, the
Taskforce will proceed with one of the following options:
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





Move Forward – If after two weeks, there is no change in the Gating Criteria or the Core
State Preparedness and the COVID-19 Taskforce advises that reopening steps can
continue, Malheur County will move to Phase Two.
HOLD – An additional one to two weeks is required to adequately determine if the
Gating Criteria and Core State Preparedness requirements are able to be met/maintained.
Reduction of Phase One, Step 1– In Phase One, All Professional/Personal Services would
be asked to reduce current patrons or appointments by 50%. The Taskforce would
monitor any changes and advise to hold for one to two weeks before returning to Phase
One.
Reductions Phase One, Step 2 – Should the COVID-19 positive case trajectory not
change based on Step 1 above, then the Taskforce will review the contact tracing to try
and determine which sector of business might be contributing to an increase in COVID19 positive cases. Those sectors would be asked to close, while the other sectors would
continue to follow Reduction of Phase One, Step 1. The Taskforce would determine to
hold one or two weeks before returning to Reductions Phase One, Step 1.
Reductions Phase One, Step 3 – Return to the Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives order
and hold for two weeks. Ensure Gating Criteria and Core State Preparedness steps are
met and restart Phase One with Reductions Phase One, Step 2 and work backwards until
Phase One. After two weeks, reassess Gating Criteria and Core State Preparedness steps
and move to Phase Two.
Phase Two At A Glance

Individual
Vulnerable individuals
continue to shelter in place.

Business
Encourage telework and
return employees in phases.

Public and private gatherings
should be avoided.

Enforce social distancing
protocols.

Maximize physical distance
from others.
Non-essential travel may
resume.

Reduce common use areas.

Contacts of cases should
quarantine 14 days.
Anyone with symptoms must
isolate at home until 72 hours
after symptoms resolve.

Bars and nightclubs may
reopen meeting criteria.

Make accommodations for
high risk employees.

Business Specific
Visits to nursing homes,
LTCF, or congregate settings
(jail, prison) prohibited.
Encourage all people to
practice social distancing and
frequent hand washing, and
to wear cloth face coverings.
Screen all employees for
symptoms before work.
Gyms, Pools, Theaters and
other large venues may
reopen meeting criteria.

Phase Two
General Guidelines – Individuals

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All vulnerable individuals should continue to quarantine at home. Members of
households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other
environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home.
Precautions should be taken to distance from vulnerable residents to the extent possible.
All individuals, when outside of their homes (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas,
shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more
than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided
unless cloth face coverings are worn by all.
Non-essential travel can resume.

General Guidelines – Employer
 Continue to encourage telework, whenever possible and feasible with business
operations.
 If possible, have employees return to work in phases.
 Close common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce
strict social distancing protocols.
 Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding quarantine
following travel.
 Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a
vulnerable population. This would include physical barriers and the use of cloth face
coverings when social distance cannot be maintained.5
 Bars specific guidance:
o Maintain social distancing of six feet between tables, seating every other
booth/table or approximately 50% of normal capacity.
o Contact tracing data will be required to be collected with every patron’s name,
contact information, time in and out of the facility.
o Clean commonly touched surfaces and in between each new set of patron
booths/tables with disinfectant. Physical barriers should be implemented at
cashier locations.
o Employees in contact with patrons will wear a cloth face covering at all times.
o Employees must self-monitor for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19
signs and symptoms and stay home when sick and contact employer.
o No bar seating will be available unless it meets the social distancing measure of
six feet at all times from the bartender.
 Others (Churches, Theaters, pools, ...)
o Maintain social distancing of six feet between people.
o Recommend the use of cloth face coverings.
o Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant.
o Employees must self-monitor for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19
signs and symptoms and stay home when sick and contact employer.
o Contact tracing would be required for sessions longer than one hour and when
social distancing cannot be maintained. (Special circumstances will be considered
for those in this group along with additional guidance from the Taskforce).
5 Federal Guidelines Opening Up America Again
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 The COVID-19 Taskforce will monitor the situation for two weeks referencing Management
Action Points. While seriously considering any Management Action Points that are met, the
Taskforce will proceed with one of the following options:
 Move Forward – If after two weeks, there is no change in the Gating Criteria or the Core
State Preparedness and the COVID-19 Taskforce advises that reopening steps can
continue, Malheur County will move to repeat Phase Two at a social distancing of 3 feet.
 HOLD – An additional one to two weeks is required to adequately determine if the
Gating Criteria and Core State Preparedness requirements are able to be met/maintained.
 Reduction of Phase Two, Step 1 - Use contact tracing to determine which sector may be
contributing to increase of COVID-19 cases. The Taskforce will review the data collected
from Contact Tracing to identify possible contributing factors and institute new guidance
for the sector that is suspected of contributing to an increase of COVID-19 cases. For
example, if pools are contributing to the increase, open swim may be postponed and lap
swim continue.
Phase Three At A Glance
Individual
Vulnerable individuals can
resume public interaction,
minimizing exposure.

Business
Encourage telework and
return employees in phases.

Gatherings, both public and
private, of 10-50 people,
where appropriate physical
distancing and precautionary
measures are observed may
resume.
Contacts of cases should
quarantine 14 days.
Anyone with symptoms must
isolate at home until 72 hours
after symptoms resolve.

Resume unrestricted staffing
at worksites while enforcing
social distancing protocols.

Business Specific
Visits to nursing homes,
LTCF, or congregate settings
(jail, prison) may resume in
Step 2.
Encourage all people to
practice social distancing and
frequent hand washing, and
to wear to cloth face
coverings.
Screen all employees for
symptoms before work.

Phase Three
Phase 3 Step 1
General Guidelines - Individuals
 Vulnerable individuals can resume public interactions, but should practice physical
distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical,
unless precautionary measures are observed.
 Low-risk populations should minimize time spent in crowded environments and continue
practicing good hygiene.
General Guidelines – Employers

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Resume unrestricted staffing of worksites.6
Monitor for two weeks checking against any Management Action Points. Should the
Management Action Points be checked the Taskforce will advise the following:
o Move Forward – Should after two weeks there is no change in the Gating Criteria
or the Core State Preparedness and the Taskforce advises that reopening steps can
continue onto Phase Three, Step 2.
o HOLD – This would mean that an additional one to two weeks is required to
adequately determine if the Gating Criteria and Core State Preparedness
requirements are able to be met/maintained.
o Reduction of Phase Three, Step 1 - A: Reduce gatherings based on Taskforce
recommendations.

Phase 3 Step 2
 Allow visitation to Long-Term Care Facilities and congregate settings to occur. Visitors
will wear cloth face coverings unless physical barriers are in place. Prior to entry visitors
wash their hands at a handwashing station and will be screened for influenza-like
illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19 signs and symptoms and temperatures logged. Employees
in contact with residents will follow the LTCF Tool Kit guidance7. All employees will
follow the LTCF guidance for screening for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19
signs and symptoms prior to entry to the building.

6 Federal Guidelines Opening Up America Again

7 Oregon Health Authority LTCF Toolkit, published March 22, 2020
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 Section IV: Submission
This plan was created with involvement from the Malheur County Court, Malheur County
Emergency Management, Malheur County Health Department, Saint Alphonsus Regional
Medical Center Ontario, and other counties in a positive collaboration to safely reopen
Malheur County with a phased approach with criteria and guidelines, amid the COVID-19
pandemic.
Within the state’s public health framework, we seek to lead and support responsible business
operations to rescue our economy and buoy families while carefully mitigating the impact of
COVID-19. We are a community of hard-working people who care about each other. We
must respond to the many pleas we have heard from residents who are struggling while at the
same time listening to public health officials, who have given us confidence that our health
care system is prepared for a slow reopening of public life.
In the last 14 days, there have been three cases in our county with sufficient testing for a
population of over 30,000 people. We have carefully prepared for worst-case scenarios and
reduced the risk of exposure in our rural community significantly through social distancing
and education. We are not going back to business as usual or even life as we knew it two
months ago. We are prepared through a collaborative approach to protect the many needs of
our communities, including their physical, emotional, socio-economic needs.
In full accordance with Oregon guidelines, Malheur County requests a reopen date for Phase
One effective May 8, 2020.
Thank you for considering our plan for approval in our unique county and help us show we
care for everyone who lives and works in Malheur County. We are preparing a request for
federal and state funding to support our plan and to manage the financial impacts of the
crisis, including loss of revenue and increased expenses. Development of additional requests
will be ongoing as necessary.

________________________ ________________________ ________________________
Dan Joyce
Larry Wilson
Don Hodge
Malheur County Judge
Commissioner

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