HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-12 PRESS RELEASE City Implements Strategies to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
For Immediate Release Contact: Martha Bennett, City Manager
March 12, 2020 503‐635‐0215
City Implements Strategies to Help Slow the Spread of COVID‐19
LAKE OSWEGO – In response to direction from the State of Oregon on March 12, 2020, the City
of Lake Oswego is adjusting City meetings, programs and activities with the goal of slowing
transmission of the coronavirus in Lake Oswego. These changes will be implemented at least
until April 8, 2020. The State’s action follows updated guidelines from the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, released March 10, 2020, and the World Health Organization’s
designation of COVID‐19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
Effective immediately:
1. Meetings of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees are cancelled, unless they are
legally required. Please check the City’s online Events & Meeting calendar for
cancellation notice: www.lakeoswego.city
2. The following City services are closed or cancelled:
Adult Community Center programs and activities, with the exception of Meals on
Wheels. Meals on Wheels services will continue.
All programs at the Lake Oswego Public Library such as story times, author talks, or
music performances. The Library will continue to be open regular hours.
All Parks and Recreation camps, programs and activities – including Teen Lounge,
Indoor Play and Spring Break camps. Fees for cancelled programs or classes will be
refunded.
Passport Services
Use of City meeting rooms and spaces for community or non‐City meetings.
3. The following City services and programs are postponed and will be rescheduled:
CERT Training (with a March 19 first session)
Adult League Basketball
4. The following City services will remain open, but no gatherings or tournaments will be
permitted:
Tennis Center
Municipal Golf Course
City Implements Preventative Measures ‐ Page 2
503-635-0215 380 A Avenue PO Box 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
5. Outdoor City fields will remain open, including for youth sports team practices and
games. Attendance at practices and games may be limited to players and coaches.
6. Other City services will remain open regular business hours. The City will be modifying
areas that are frequently used by the public to create distance between people. For
example, the computers at the Lake Oswego Public Library will be placed 6 feet apart.
City waiting rooms will also be arranged to allow for social distancing.
7. The City will also be posting signage reminding people of appropriate risk reduction
measures (such as staying home if sick and frequently washing hands). In order to
protect staff, people appearing to be sick may be asked to leave a City building
8. The City will assist in implementing Governor Brown’s ban on all large events of more
than 250 people.
9. The City will also reduce the number of in‐person meetings, eliminating non‐essential
work travel, and continuing additional cleaning measures that were implemented on
February 28.
For specific information, please contact the appropriate City department or visit their webpage:
Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Dept: www.loparks.or or 503‐675‐2549
Lake Oswego Public Library: www.lakeoswegolibrary.org or 503‐636‐7628
Lake Oswego Adult Community Center: www.LOACC.info or 503‐635‐3758
Lake Oswego Building Dept: www.lakeoswego.city/building or 503‐635‐0390
Lake Oswego Planning Dept: www.lakeoswego.city/planning or 503‐635‐0390
Lake Oswego Engineering Dept: www.lakeoswego.city/engineering or 503‐635‐0270
Lake Oswego Public Works Dept: www.lakeoswego.city/publicworks or 503‐635‐0280
Lake Oswego Fire Dept: www.lakeoswego.city/fire or 503‐635‐0275
The City has implemented precautionary measures since Oregon’s first COVID‐19 case was
identified on February 28. These measures included additional cleaning processes at all public
City facilities, having hand sanitizer readily available, requiring employees to stay home if they
had symptoms, encouraging regular hand‐washing, and other preventative techniques.
The City continues to urge all community members to take steps to protect themselves and
those who are most vulnerable to complications from COVID‐19:
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not
readily available, use an alcohol‐based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent
alcohol.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
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503-635-0215 380 A Avenue PO Box 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
Take care of your overall health. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu
vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
The Oregon Health Authority also recommends everyone aged 6 months and older should get a
flu shot. It's an excellent way to lower your chances of having a cough illness.
The City will continue to do its best to minimize any risks. We will continue to monitor the
COVID‐19 outbreak and will follow guidance from Clackamas County Public Health and the
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to ensure community and employee safety, and we will
continue to update the public as this situation unfolds.
If you feel sick, stay home and call your health care provider. Calling helps reduce person‐to‐
person contact and avoids unnecessarily inundating hospitals.
We look forward to continuing to provide important services to the people of Lake Oswego.
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