Judge Rejects Challenge to Oregon's 2-week Virus Rules

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has declined to bar or alter Gov. Kate Brown’s two-week freeze that prohibits indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut on Tuesday denied a temporary restraining order sought by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association and Restaurant Law Center.

Immergut issued her ruling after hearing nearly an hour of argument. It marked the latest rejection by a judge in Oregon of a challenge to the governor’s coronavirus restrictions.

The governor’s freeze went into effect Nov. 18 and is expected to last at least through Dec. 2. It limits social get-togethers to no more than six people from no more than two households and limits restaurants and bars to take-out and delivery only. It also limits grocery stores and retail malls to a maximum of 75% capacity, while encouraging curbside pickup.

The restaurant association, which represents 10,000 foodservice and 2,000 lodging businesses across the state, and the public policy group Restaurant Law Center had asked the judge to modify the governor’s order.

They urged the judge to adopt for restaurants and bars the same rules that now apply to restrictions for social food consumption -- allow restaurants and bars to provide food or drink on premises, inside or outside, to no more than six people from no more than two households at any one table or seating location.