COUNTY EXTENDS SHORT-TERM LODGING RESTRICTIONS THROUGH APRIL 30

MEDIA CONTACT:
Don Bohn, County Manager, (503) 325-1000
Kathleen Sullivan, Chair, Board of Commissioners, (503) 440-4643

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 31, 2020

COUNTY EXTENDS SHORT-TERM LODGING RESTRICTIONS THROUGH APRIL 30

Clatsop County is extending an emergency order that closed short-term lodging businesses and campgrounds to most outside visitors to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The order, approved by the Board of Commissioners at a special meeting March 22, ordered the closure of hotels, short-term rentals and homestay lodges, and campgrounds for a 14-day period beginning March 23.

County Manager Don Bohn, with the concurrence of the county commissioners, moved Tuesday to extend the order through April 30. The new date coincides with the federal government’s stay-in-place guidelines.

The order was first prompted by an influx of visitors from outside the county who descended on local towns and destinations over the March 21-22 weekend. Large crowds and traffic jams were reported in Seaside and Cannon Beach, as well as Fort Stevens and Oswald West state parks.

The order allows exceptions for current campground visitors who have longer-term reservations dating from March 11, as well as campground staff, hosts and people employed in Clatsop County on a temporary basis; current hotel guests registered for longer than 30 days; and short-stay guests employed in the county.

Pools, spas and other public bathing facilities are also ordered closed.

The order covers the unincorporated county as well as any incorporated areas not currently covered by an emergency declaration. The order was issued under the emergency declaration approved March 16 by the Board of Commissioners. The complete order is attached.

The cities of Astoria, Cannon Beach and Warrenton passed their own orders restricting hotel and short- term stays. The cities of Seaside and Gearhart implemented the county’s order within their jurisdictions.

At a Board of Commissioners work session on Tuesday, Clatsop County Sheriff Matt Phillips said Sheriff’s Office, county code compliance personnel and local police agencies have made contact with some businesses and property owners in response to complaints. But he added that overall compliance with the orders has been good and issues have been resolved with no citations issued.

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Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator (503) 338-3622