OPB “Welcome back, Oregon,” says Gov. Kate Brown during the Reopening Oregon Celebration held at Providence Park in Portland, Ore., June 30, 2021. Brown announced the end to mandatory mask use and social distancing.
Brown addressed media questions on whether reopening while vaccine rates among Oregonians of color lag behind those of white residents will only perpetuate disparities exposed by pandemic.
The sound of applause and cheers rang throughout Providence Park Wednesday from the couple hundred attendees who attended a reopening ceremony hosted by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown as she lifted COVID-19-related safety measures statewide.
Brown targeted June 30 after the state failed to reach its initial goal of vaccinating 70% of Oregon’s eligible population by June 21. State data currently shows that 69.5% of eligible Oregonians have received at least one shot. Approximately 16,000 more Oregonians need to receive a shot for the state to reach 70%.