Oregon Business Groups Urged Gov. Kate Brown Not to Implement Statewide “Freeze” Amid COVID-19 Spike

Hours before Gov. Kate Brown announced a statewide “freeze” that closes some businesses for upward of four weeks beginning Nov. 18, Oregon’s Coronavirus Recovery Business Coalition urged her in a letter Nov. 13 to consider alternatives.

Sandra McDonough, president and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry, said shutting down the state weeks ahead of the holiday season could be more damaging to the economy than the initial shutdown in the spring.

“When the first shutdown happened last March, we had the promise of federal unemployment support and small business assistance,” McDonough said. “That is not the case today. Business closures now mean families across Oregon will lose their incomes right as the holiday season commences, and businesses that rely on holiday sales will face a grim future.”

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