Mar. 10—LA GRANDE — A major change is coming to businesses across Oregon.
In the wake of COVID-19 rates showing a steady decline in recent months, the state is set to end its statewide indoor mask mandate on Saturday, March 12. Local businesses will be required to shift gears again with the upcoming change but for the most part they see it as a positive development.
"I think a lot of customers are going to be really happy with the ability to choose for themselves," said Liberty O'Dell, manager of La Grande Liquor and Smoke Shoppe. "That will probably spur more business."
Businesses have perhaps been most impacted by the indoor mask mandate passed down from the state government. As of March 12, businesses will be able to decide for themselves whether people are required to wear masks while indoors at their establishments.
Masks offLa Grande Liquor and Smoke Shoppe faced not only a statewide mandate but requirements from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
"As an agent of the state liquor commission, we have an agreement with them that we'll follow what they ask us to do with their liquor," O'Dell said. "We hold that agreement to be mutually beneficial, so when they ask us to do something we follow through with that."
The local store will now stop policing mask usage by customers on the premises, but leave the decision up to employees whether they want to wearing a face mask. According to O'Dell, the store encourages customers to continue to wear masks if they choose.
"If people still feel uncomfortable about their safety, they can wear a mask," he said. "We did get quite a few people who were thankful we were requiring masks, but we also got way more vocal people who were against the mask mandate."
HQ, a performance venue in downtown La Grande, recently announced upcoming in-person events as COVID-19 numbers decline. The venue is resuming its weekly open mic night on Thursdays, and the owners are beginning to schedule concert events for the spring. Chris Jennings, the venue's co-owner, noted that HQ will abide by the update to the mask mandate while trusting in attendees to make responsible decisions.
"If you still want to bring your mask because that's comfortable, that's fine," Jennings said. "We're at that point where people need to start taking care of each other and be conscientious, while still enjoying those things that keep us sane."
HQ does not plan to require mask usage at concerts, but will update its policies if any changes occur in the future.