Deschutes commissioners lay out first phase for lifting business closures

Commissions discuss plan to reopen Oregon counties

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County commissioners concluded a meeting Wednesday presenting a framework plan for lifting restrictions in the county. Together, the commissioners put together a rough draft of phase one of the process.

After talking with Gov. Kate Brown with other Central and Eastern Oregon commissioners on Monday, the commissioners were instructed to create a plan for the governor to consider on how they'd reopen Deschutes County. They discussed phase one, which includes gating criteria, core preparedness and what opening the economy means.

Commissioner Tony DeBone says gating criteria includes figuring out which medical professionals will confirm a decline in cases and ensure enough hospital capacity. Core preparedness focuses on robust coronavirus testing, as well as ensuring the health care system will have enough personal protective equipment to handle a potential surge in cases. 

"We're building it as we are going here," DeBone said. "We want that partnership, because the hospitals are where the emergency beds are, and if we start to do a lot more community activity and we kick off an infectious expansion, the hospitals are the place it is going to go. So Deschutes County commissioners and myself want to be a partner with public health folks and our medical community."

Deschutes commissioners will finalize their draft Thursday. Each county in eastern Oregon will present their plans to the Association of Oregon counties on Friday, and a published plan is expected to be approved by Friday afternoon.