The Oregon State Capitol closed its doors until further notice on March 18. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
The Oregon House has again put work on hold after another Covid scare.
An individual who was diagnosed with Covid was last in the building on March 16, according to an email from Lindsey O’Brien, chief of staff for House Speaker Tina Kotek. The individual was not named out of privacy concerns. Work was halted because some individuals who were possibly exposed are awaiting test results.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” the House will not conduct business on Monday, March 29. As a constitutional formality, the House will still “gavel-in, gavel” but will take no votes.
The House is expected to hold its next session Tuesday, March 30. The Senate is not scheduled to meet Monday or Tuesday.
The House canceled floor sessions last week after another person tested positive for Covid.
To minimize possible exposure, Kotek has directed the House clerk to use a computer to read lengthy bills upon final passage.
-Jake Thomas
