OLCC finds 'widespread non-compliance' with COVID-19 restrictions on central Oregon Coast

EUGENE, Ore. - Inspectors found "widespread non-compliance" on the central Oregon Coast while checking for social distancing and face coverings over the Fourth of July weekend.

State inspectors visited 800 businesses as part of stepped up enforcement directed by Gov. Kate Brown.

Of those, 20 percent were outside of the Portland and Salem areas - but they accounted for half of the verbal instructions on compliance issued by inspectors, according to state statistics.

Put another way:

• A little more than 1 in every 20 businesses visited by inspectors in Portland or Salem received verbal instructions on compliance.
• Compare that to verbal instructions given to nearly 1 in 4 businesses visited by inspectors elsewhere in Oregon.

"The Oregon Liquor Control Commission found most of Oregon’s bars and restaurants were operating according to OLCC rules, following social distancing guidelines, and making sure staff and customers were wearing face coverings during the 4th of July holiday weekend," the agency said. "However, inspectors encountered several problem locations along the central Oregon coast, some spots in southern Oregon, and the city of Bend."

OLCC released statistics from the weekend that showed they made 431 visits to businesses in the Portland Metro area over the weekend.

They found general compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, and no OLCC violation.

Inspectors did provide verbal instructions to about 28 of the 431 busineses they visited in the Portland area.

In the Salem region, inspectors visited 208 businesses and gave verbal instructions to just 9.

That's 37 verbal instructions given out of 639 business visits.

Then there's the rest of the state: Another 37 combined verbal instructions out of 161 visits, nearly 1 in 4 businesses visited by inspectors.

According to OLCC:

• Eugene region, including Benton, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln and Linn counties: Inspectors gave verbal instructions to 15 of the 38 businesses they visited; found OLCC violations; and "widespread non-compliance."
• Medford region, including Coos, Curry, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties: 10 verbal instructions out of 48 visits, with OLCC violations and "scattered non-compliance" in Jackson and Josephine counties.
• Bend region, including all of Central and Eastern Oregon: 12 verbal instructions in 75 visits, with OLCC violations but "mostly compliant (except Bend downtown district)."

"The OLCC is continuing its investigations of licensees found to be out-of-compliance and will take administrative action against licensees alleged to have violated state law or OLCC rules," the agency said. "After investigators complete their reports about observed violations regarding social distancing requirements, the cases will be forwarded to Oregon OSHA for action."