News/Press Release

Agreement with Alyrica to Expand Rural Broadband

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 26th, 2020

Please follow our Public Health page for continuous updates on Polk County's COVID-19 cases and other information you may find helpful.

https://www.co.polk.or.us/ph 

On June 11, 2020 the Board of Commissioners were notified that the Governor would not be approving any requests to move to phase 2 reopening at this time. She has put a 7 day pause on approving these requests and will re-evaluate next Wednesday, June 17th. 

On Wednesday May 20, Governor Brown announced that Polk County was approved for the first phase of reopening. This allows the limited reopening of:
- Restaurants and bars
- Salons,and barber shops, massage, etc.
- Gyms or workout centers
- Shopping malls

These businesses need to follow protocols of cleaning and physical distancing, among others. For more information visit the page: https://govstatus.egov.com/reopening-oregon#phase1

On May 11, 2020, Polk County, acting as the local Public Health authority, submitted its application for phased re-opening to the Governor's Office and Oregon Health Authority. 

The application addresses the re-opening criteria and guidelines set forth by the State. This application is PENDING approval by the Oregon Health Authority until further notice. 

Polk County will be re-evaluated again on Wednesday, May 20th.

State of Oregon Employment Department News Release-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2020 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Available in Oregon

Starting today, the Oregon Employment Department is providing unemployment benefits through the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. In preparation, the agency has recruited and trained staff to process PUA claims.

Press Release: April 9, 2020 

At the regularly scheduled Wednesday meeting, the Polk County Board of Commissioners adopted Order 20-09, directing the Polk County Environmental Health Division to accept and issue, without payment, a 2021 Annual Restaurant License for any completed application submitted by a restaurant that maintained a valid Polk County issued Annual 2020 Restaurant License on March 17, 2020.