[OBCE_Publication] OBCE Public Notice | Facial Covering Requirements

[OBCE Oregon * BCE]

This message is being sent to all licensees and certificate holders.

Public Notice regarding facial covering requirements
Facial coverings are still required in healthcare settings under OHA, OSHA, and OAR 811-035-0007<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=276158>. Chiropractic clinics are considered healthcare offices and chiropractic physicians are considered healthcare personnel. (OHA Mask, Face Covering, and Face Shield Requirements for Health Care Offices<https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2351m.pdf>, June 30, 2021)

How did the OBCE come to this conclusion?
Executive Order 21-15<https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_21-15.pdf> extended the emergency declaration originally found in Executive Order 20-03<https://www.oregon.gov/gov/admin/Pages/eo_20-03.aspx> while also rescinding statewide mask mandates and other protective restrictions. However, enhanced COVID-19 precautions are still necessary in specific specialized settings such as healthcare, public transportation, and correctional facilities.



OHA Mask, Face Covering, and Face Shield Requirements for Healthcare Offices, June 30, 2021, states, "While the Governor has rescinded many of the Executive Orders, the declaration of emergency remains in effect and masks are still required in healthcare settings. See Executive Order 21-15. In addition, healthcare offices must continue to follow all applicable state and federal regulatory requirements related to masking, including Oregon-OSHA<https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHARules/adopted/2021/ao5-2021-letter-cov19-allworkplaces.pdf> rules addressing COVID-19 workplace risks." These requirements apply to all health care personnel and healthcare offices and all patients and visitors in healthcare offices.


The OBCE, during its regular July board meeting, deliberated on whether the facial covering rule, OAR 811-035-0007<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=276158> (Facial Covering Requirements), is still in effect and applicable in light of the provisions within Executive Order 21-15. After considering all public comments submitted, the OBCE determined that the rule is still in effect and applicable due to the declared state of emergency being extended until December 31, 2021.

Because the declared state of emergency has been extended by Executive Order 21-15<https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_21-15.pdf>, OAR 811-035-0015<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=276156>(27) (Unprofessional Conduct in the Chiropractic Profession), still requires licensees' compliance with OHA guidance.

The OBCE voted to enter rulemaking in September 2021, to consider amending OAR 811-035-0007<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=276158> Facial Covering Requirements and OAR 811-035-0015<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=276156> Unprofessional Conduct in the Chiropractic Profession. The OBCE will provide notice for submission of public comment in due course.

Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners
530 Center St NE, Suite 620
Salem, OR  97301
503-373-1573
oregon.obce at oregon.gov<mailto:oregon.obce at oregon.gov>
www.oregon.gov/obce<http://www.oregon.gov/obce>

[cid:image001.jpg at 01D77F18.5FC7C7F0]

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/obce_publication/attachments/20210722/61ab6880/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 3685 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/obce_publication/attachments/20210722/61ab6880/attachment.jpg>