Face Coverings Are Now Required for Employees of Select Oregon Businesses

Pursuant to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidance, employers in certain businesses must require employees, contractors, and volunteers to wear a mask, face covering, or face shield, unless an accommodation for people with disabilities or other exemption applies. On June 11, 2020, the OHA issued updated guidance explaining that face coverings are not required when eating/drinking or when in a non-public-facing location where six or more feet of distance can be maintained.

Businesses subject to this requirement are:

• Grocery stores
• Fitness-related organizations (gyms, fitness centers, dance studios, martial arts centers, etc.)
• Personal services providers (barber shops, hair salons, esthetician practices, day spas, nail salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, etc.)
• Pharmacies
• Public transit agencies and providers
• Restaurants, bars, breweries, brewpubs, wineries, tasting rooms, and distilleries
• Retail stores
• Ride sharing services

Employers must provide masks, face coverings, or face shields for employee use.  Such businesses must also develop and comply with policies and procedures that provide for accommodations for employees with disabilities and require employees to review those policies and procedures.  Here is our previous blog about accommodating disabled employees who may be unable to wear a face mask or covering.

In addition, businesses that require customers or visitors to wear face masks or coverings must develop a policy and post clear signs about the requirements.  The OHA guidance outlines requirements for such a policy.

Additional information for Oregon businesses about reopening is also available here.