Covid-19 Information

Physical Therapy Practice: Ongoing COVID-19 Recommendations & Requirements

March 3rd, 2023: UPDATE: Oregon Health Authority will lift mask requirement in health care settings April 3rd. 2023. Workers, patients and visitors in health care settings will no longer be required to wear masks starting April 3, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced. Please see the OHA announcement for more information.

March 20, 2022: As noted previously, masks in healthcare settings are still required under OAR 333-019-1011. The Oregon Health Authority has published an updated FAQ related to the masking requirements. Additional information from OHA about COVID-19 resources and requirements can be found on their COVID-19 Healthcare Partner Resources Page.

February 7, 2022: State Health Officials have announced that Oregon will remove general mask requirements for indoor public places no later than March 31. This will not impact the use of masks in healthcare settings, as OAR 333-019-1011 remains in effect and is separate from the general indoor mask mandate. Click here to watch the announcement from the State Health Officer.

January 31, 2022: OHA has adopted OAR 333-019-1011, requiring masks to be used in healthcare settings until June 30, 2022.

August 26, 2021: OHA has published additional information, including forms, related to the newly updated Vaccine Requirement Rule on the OHA's COVID-19 Website for Healthcare Partners .

August 25, 2021: The Oregon Health Authority has published revised temporary rules requiring all health care workers to be vaccinated per direction from the Governor. | PH_38-2021.pdf

August 25, 2021: The Oregon Health Authority has published temporary rules relating to vaccination requirements to control COVID-19 for Schools and School-based Programs. | PH_39-2021.pdf

August 25, 2021: Due to the state's current hospital capacity crisis. nursing facilities may temporarily utilize the services of physical therapists and other healthcare workers to account for up to 25% of the required minimum staff required at nursing facilities, effective immediately.

August 23, 2021: FDA Approves Pfizer vaccine for individuals 16 and older.

August 20, 2021: The Oregon Health Authority has passed temporary rules requiring masks in healthcare settings.

August 19, 2021: Governor Brown directed the Oregon Health Authority to require all health care workers to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later.

July 1, 2021: Governor Brown has issued Executive Order 21-15, which rescinds statewide mandatory COVID-19 restrictions and addresses ongoing vaccination and recovery.

Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Health Care Resources

Please visit the health care resources page maintained by Oregon Health Authority, located at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/covid19/Pages/Healthcare-Partners.aspx for the most up to date information.

Key Guidance Documents:

Clinical Care, and Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Updated 8/10/2021
Mask, Face Covering, and Face Shield Requirements Not yet updated to reflect new Rule passed 8/20/2021
Use of Personal Protective Equipment by Health Care Personnel in Resource-Constrained Settings

OSHA rules pertaining to all businesses.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Agency (Oregon OSHA) has promulgated rules related to COVID-19; while mask and distancing requirements have been lifted for most businesses, they still apply to health care settings and in transit. Please review the information maintained on their site at: https://osha.oregon.gov/rules/final/Pages/division-2.aspx

CDC Healthcare Workers: Information on COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html

GUIDANCE FOR PRACTICE

While the majority of prior executive orders and general restrictions have been lifted, there are still requirements for physical distancing and mask use for unvaccinated or at-risk individuals. There are also recommendations and requirements relating to all "health care settings", which includes all clinics, home care or any location where health care services are delivered published by the Oregon Health Authority, as well as requirements pertaining to all businesses published by Oregon OSHA.

Practitioners are expected to comply with all applicable requirements published by the OHA, OSHA, CDC or other state or federal body, and are encouraged to implement recommendations to the greatest extent possible.

Board Office Hours and Board Meetings

State Offices continue to be closed to the public for in-person visits to protect public health. We continue to be open for business via phone and email, or via the services available on our website.

Additionally, meetings of the Board scheduled for the next several months will be conducted via web conference. Meeting notices and agendas will be updated with public call-in information ahead of the meetings. We will update this page as well as the meetings page with updated information on return to in-person services.