
OHA has provided Stay Home, Save Lives social media graphics to help spread the word.
Updated Feb. 23, 2021
The Oregon Wine Board is committed to supporting our industry partners during this time of unprecedented hardship and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. In response, we have created a toolkit for the Oregon wine industry that points to resources from national and state organizations, offers ways to stay connected, and shares ideas for helping your community, your employees, and your business.
FINDING CURRENT GUIDANCE
- Guidelines for Wine Tasting Room Operations in Response to COVID-19 (updated Feb. 22, 2021)
- Current Risk and Protection Framework information can be found below under Resources and Guidance Documents >> Tasting Room Resources
- General information can be found on Oregon’s COVID-19 homepage
- OSHA Temporary Rule guidance can be found under Resources and Guidance Documents >> Operating Resources for All Businesses
RECENT NEWS
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Governor Kate Brown Announces 16 Counties Improve in Risk Level (Feb. 23, 2021) | Updated county risk levels take effect Feb. 26
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Governor Kate Brown Announces 10 Counties Improve from Extreme Risk (Feb. 9, 2021) | Updated risk levels take effect Jan. 12; 10 counties move from Extreme Risk level for first time including Oregon’s largest county
- Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to County Risk Levels (Jan. 26, 2020)
- Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to County Risk Levels (Dec. 1, 2020)
- Executive Order 20-65 – Temporary freeze to address surge in COVID-19 cases in Oregon (Nov. 17, 2020)
- Governor Kate Brown Announces Statewide Two-Week Freeze to Stop Rapid Spread of COVID-19 (Nov. 13, 2020)
- Oregon, California & Washington Issue Travel Advisories (Nov. 13, 2020)
- Governor Kate Brown Announces Two-Week Pause on Social Activities to Help Stop Rapid Spread of COVID-19 (Nov. 6, 2020)
- Applications now due Nov. 6 for assistance from Food Security and Farmworker Safety program (oregon.gov)
- Executive Order 20-58 extends enhanced health and safety requirements for certain employer-provided housing through April 30, 2021
- Wine grapes are eligible for the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2), applications will be accepted through Dec. 11 (USDA)
- Read the letter sent to the governor from Oregon Winegrowers Association and Oregon Wine Council about the critical nature of tasting room operations to the wine industry. (July 24, 2020)
- Oregon’s Mask Rules Expanding To Crowded Outdoor Spaces (OPB, July 14, 2020)
- Guidance from CDC on cloth face coverings and instructions for making your own
- Press Announcement: Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Make Farmers and Agricultural Businesses Eligible for COVID-19 Economic Injury Grants
- Read the letter crafted by the Oregon Winegrowers Association with input from industry partners and delivered to Oregon’s state and federal lawmakers on behalf of the industry.

Download face mask signage from OHA
- Governor Brown Extends Face Covering Requirement Statewide effective July 1 | Supporting data and rationale (PDF) | See more under “Reopening Information: Tasting Rooms” (oregon.gov, June 29, 2020)
- Emergency Declaration Enforcement FAQs (Oregon State Police, March 24, 2020)
- Governor Kate Brown Tightens Social Distancing Measures, Tells Oregonians to “Stay Home, Save Lives” (March 23, 2020)
- OLCC Delivery, Curbside Pickup Rules Eased to Help Industry (oregon.gov, March 19, 2020)
- Governor Kate Brown Announces New Statewide Actions on COVID-19 (oregon.gov, March 16, 2020)
RESOURCES & GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
- Global: World Health Organization
- National: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Oregon: Oregon Health Authority – sign up for OHA email updates here | Oregon Department of Agriculture
- Legal & Regulatory: Oregon Winegrowers Association (includes resources on employment, small business loans, OLCC licenses and TTB updates)
- Tourism Guidance: Travel Oregon COVID-19 Toolkit (includes media talking points, travel recommendations and visitor communication recommendations)
- Agricultural: Oregon Department of Agriculture
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (Dept. of Labor)
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act: FAQs (Dept. of Labor)
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FFCRA Employee Rights Poster and FAQs about posting the notice (Dept. of Labor)
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FFCRA Leave Documentation: What Is Required and What Is Recommended? (Davis Wright Tremaine)
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Important FFCRA Deadline Approaches (Oregon Winegrowers Association)
Paid Leave:
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COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program (State of Oregon)
Umemployment:
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COVID-19 Related Business Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits (alt: PDF, March 16) (Oregon Employment Department)
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Work Share Oregon (“Work Share provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs” oregon.gov)
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Oregon Employment Department updated website and resources
CARES Act Financial Assistance
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Guide to the CARES Act (U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship)
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Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
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Comparison between SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loans (Davis Wright Tremaine)
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans
PPP Overview (U.S. Treasury)
Overview of key provisions of the PPP Flexibility Act, approved June 4 (Oregon Winegrowers Association)
Borrower Information Sheet (U.S. Treasury)
PPP Application Form
Find a Local Participating Lender (SBA)
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application (SBA)
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application short form for qualifying recipients (SBA) | Checklist & instructions
PPP Calculator Workbook (.xlsx) (Columbia Bank)
Lending options if your bank does not participate: SmartBiz | Lendio | Kabbage | Funding Circle | Divvy | biz2credit
Article: SBA publishes new PPP guidance for the self-employed and general partners (Journal of Accountancy, April 14, 2020)
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Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)
Overview of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (Davis Wright Tremaine, March 30)
EIDL Application Form
Other Small Business Resources
- Local Small Business Grants and Loans (compilation courtesy of Crosswater Strategies)
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Small Business Roundtable Web Event Recording (Small Business Roundtable, March 28)
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Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance (now available to businesses in all Oregon counties)
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SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (Small Business Association, March 12)
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Small Business Resource Navigator (Business Oregon)
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What to Do If You Have a COVID-19 Confirmed Positive Worker or Workers Who Have Been Exposed to a Confirmed Case of COVID-19 (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
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Supply Connector for PPE and equipment (Business Oregon)
Ag Operation Resources:
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Guidelines for Vineyard Operations in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus (Oregon Wine Industry Task Force, August 26, 2020)
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Agriculture and Farm Operation Response Toolkit: Make a Plan for COVID-19 Mitigation in the Workplace (ODA / OHA / Oregon OSHA)
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Playbook for Joint Response Protocol for COVID-19 Outbreaks in Agriculture and Farm Operations (ODA / OHA / Oregon OSHA)
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COVID-19 Harvest Protocols (Wine Institute)
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Field Sanitation and Farmworker Safety Program Guidance (Crosswater Strategies, June 10)
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Field Sanitation and Farmworker Safety Financial Assistance Application (OWEB)
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Temporary Administrative Rule Addressing the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in Labor Housing and Agriculture Employment (see also: one-page overview and Q&A document) addressing the COVID-19 emergency in employer-provided housing, labor-intensive agricultural operations, and agricultural transportation (Oregon OSHA, April 28)
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Oregon Wine Industry April 13 Viticulture Roundtable Discussion | Meeting replay (skip to 6:10 for meeting start) | Summary
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Interim Guidance for Agricultural Employers for COVID-19 (Oregon Farm Bureau, March 30)
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COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees (California Department of Occupational Safety and Health)
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COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers and Employers in Oregon (¡Salud!)
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COVID-19 Orientacion para Trabajadores Agricolas Migrantes y Empleadores en Oregon (¡Salud!)
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Added Jan. 22: Agriculture Worker Vaccination Update (¡Salud!)
Production Facility Resources:
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Guidelines for Winemaking Operations in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus (Oregon Wine Industry Task Force, August 20, 2020)
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Playbook for Joint Timely Response Protocol for COVID-19 Outbreak in Food Processing Establishments (ODA / OHA / Oregon OSHA)
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Food Processing Response Toolkit: Make a Plan for COVID-19 Mitigation in the Workplace (ODA / OHA / Oregon OSHA)
- Phase 1: Specific Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Brewpubs, Wineries, Tasting Rooms and Distilleries (OHA, released May 7, 2020)
- Reopening Guidance FAQs for Restaurants and Bars (OHA, released May 17, 2020)
- Phase 2: Specific Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Brewpubs, Wineries, Tasting Rooms and Distilleries (OHA, updated June 4, 2020)
- Statewide Freeze Guidance — Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Brewpubs, Wineries, Tasting Rooms and Distilleries (OHA, released Nov. 18, 2020)
- Effective Dec. 3, 2020: Risk and Protection Framework. Key information:
- Risk levels will be assessed on a county-level. County risk indicators will be published weekly; risk levels will be updated biweekly.
- Weekly data and county risk designations will be published on the governor’s COVID-19 homepage
- Four risk categories determine allowable personal and commercial activities (see the Guidance by Activity matrix; wine tasting rooms fall under “Eating and Drinking Establishments”)
- Updated Jan. 29, 2021: Sector Guidance — Eating and Drinking Establishments (Important: This updated guidance includes new definitions for outdoor structures and individual dining pods.)
- Added Feb. 23, 2021: Guidelines for Wine Tasting Room Operations in Response to COVID-19 (Oregon Wine Industry Task Force; Feb. 22 update)
Updated Feb. 26, 2021: County Risk Graphics (will be updated biweekly as risk levels are reassessed). Wineries and associations can use these to communicate with consumers.
OLCC Information
- Guidance on Expansion of Premises To Accommodate Social Distancing (Oregon Winegrowers Association & Davis Wright Tremaine)
- Reopening Oregon OLCC Guidance – Phase 1 (OLCC, 5/18/20)
- Application for Extension of Service Area (OLCC)
- COVID-19 Alcohol FAQs (OLCC, updated 5/15/20)
Guidance Documents
- Oregon General Guidance for Employers on COVID-19 (OHA, released May 7, 2020)
- Oregon Guidance for the General Public (OHA, released May 7, 2020)
- Resuming Business Operations Frequently Asked Questions (Oregon Dept. of Employment, released May 11, 2020)
- A Checklist for Employers Planning to Reopen or Return to the Workplace (Davis Wright Tremaine)
- Mask and Face Covering Guidance for Business, Transit, and the Public (OHA, released May 15, 2020)
- County Specific Mask, Face Shield, Face Covering Guidance (OHA, released June 22, 2020)
- Statewide Mask, Face Shield, Face Covering Guidance (OHA, released June 30, 2020)
- Business/Employer Enforcement of the OHA “Statewide Mask, Face Shield, Face Covering Guidance” (Oregon OSHA, revised June 30)
- Statewide Mask, Face Shield, Face Covering Guidance FAQs (OHA, revised July 9, 2020)
- DRAFT COVID-19 Temporary Standard: Full Text | Summary (Oregon OSHA)
- Added 11/19: Statewide Freeze Guidance – General Guidance for Employers (OHA, released Nov. 18, 2020)
Signage and Handouts
- Oregon Health Authority materials (scroll to section “Governor’s Orders and OHA Guidance” and open toggle “OHA Guidance, Signage and Rules”)
- “Masks Required” Signs for Businesses (OHA)
Workplace Safety: Oregon OSHA Temporary Rule
- Temporary Rule Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks (Oregon OSHA, in effect until May 4, 2021)
- Full Text
- Overview Table
- Temporary Rule Matrix (for businesses with more than 10 employees)
- COVID-19 Infection Notification Requirement for Workplaces
- COVID-19 Workplace Infection Control Plan (.docx)
- Exposure Risk Assessment Form (.docx)
- Workplace Exposure Risk Assessment (.docx)
- Employee Training and Information Roster Form (.docx)
- Temporary Rule implementation schedule:
- November 16, 2020
- OAR 437-001-0744 Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks effective date (to sunset May 4, 2021 unless otherwise revised or repealed) all elements required on this day, except for the following specific effective dates and associated elements.
- November 23, 2020
- Building Operator requirements – all workplaces.
- December 28, 2020
- Exposure Risk Assessment – all workplaces
- Infection Control Plan – all workplaces
- Employee information and training – all workplaces
- January 6, 2021
- Ventilation requirements – all workplaces
- November 16, 2020
- Added 12/7: Oregon OSHA provides training videos to help employers meet four out of 10 employee training requirements found in the COVID-19 Temporary rule
- Oregon OSHA consultation services | Virtual confidential services specific to COVID-19 (Oregon OSHA)
General Reopening Information
- County Reopening Application Status (Governor’s Office)
- Pre-requisites for Phased Re-Opening of Oregon at County and Health Region Level (Governor’s Office)
- Gov. Brown shares framework for Reopening Oregon (April 20, 2020)
- COVID-19 Outbreak Communications Plan for Wine Industry (OWB with partner agencies)
- Communications Plan for Wineries and Vineyards in Preparation for a COVID-19 Outbreak (OWB)
- Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Toolkits (OHA)
- Communicating During an Outbreak or Public Health Investigation (CDC Field Epidemiology Manual)
COVID-19 HARVEST & CRUSH SAFETY GUIDELINES
See the recording and other materials from the Aug. 18 all-industry meeting on COVID-19 Harvest & Crush Safety Guidelines.
Key Documents:
- COVID-19 Outbreak Communications Plan for Wine Industry
- Guidelines for Winemaking Operations in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus
- Guidelines for Vineyard Operations in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus
- Oregon Wine Industry Example of an Emergency Response Plan for Incidences and Outbreaks of COVID-19
See the “Resources and Guidance Documents” section below for additional resources specific to agriculture and food production, as well as information relevant to all employers.
EDUCATION
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Webinar Recording: Navigating the CARES Act, Part II | Presented by the Oregon Wine Board | April 21 | Watch here | Read Q&A transcript
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Webinar recording: SBA’s EIDL and PPP Loan Programs | Presented by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) | April 10 | Watch here
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Webinar recording: CARES Act Overview for the Oregon Wine Industry | Presented by the Oregon Wine Board | April 9 | Watch here | Read Q&A transcript
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Webinar recording: How to Apply for a Coronavirus Small Business Loan | Presented by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) | April 3 | Watch here
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Webinar recording: Financial Resources and Updates for Small Business | Presented by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) | March 30 | Watch here
OWB has negotiated a discount for all Oregon wineries on the current offerings from education partner DTC Wine Workshops. Their catalog includes “Virtual Wine Tasting Setup in 5 Steps or Less” and “Direct Wine Telesales & Account Management.” Use code OWB20 to get $25 off when you register.
Industry forum notes:
WISE Academy hosted three community conversations with Oregon tasting room managers regarding challenges and opportunities presented by reopening tasting rooms during the pandemic. The notes from these discussions are available and include ideas generated and key points to takeaway.
- Forum 1 Notes (June 10, 2020)
- Forum 2 Notes (June 24, 2020)
- Forum 3 Notes (July 8, 2020)
Pre-recorded learning opportunities:
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Replay: Virtual Wine Tasting Best Practices – The Technologies, Training and Techniques Wineries are Using | Wine Business Monthly | March 25, 2020 | Watch here
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Recorded webinars: Wine Club Management | Presented by VingDirect | Recorded June 2019 | View here
- Oregon Wine Symposium recordings – We’ve removed the password protection to make Symposium 2020 content available to all immediately
- Napa Valley Wine Academy online courses – Use code OREGON20 to receive 20% off on select courses including Oregon Wine Expert and American Wine Expert
- Study Oregon Wine through the in-depth materials in the Oregon Wine Resource Studio, including the 4-part Learn Oregon trade curriculum
INSIGHTS
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Tracker: COVID-19 Impact on Wine in Retail, Online and DTC Channels (updated weekly with new data and commentary)
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Alcohol Sales at Retail: The Pandemic’s Impact on Wine During March 2020 (published April 10)
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Wine Market Council Webinar Recap: A Look at Online & Direct Wine Purchasing in a New Reality (published April10)
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Travel Oregon’s Impact of COVID-19 on the Travel Industry (weekly report incorporating state and national data)
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Destination Analysts’ COVID-19 Key Findings and Things to Know (updated weekly with traveler trends and sentiment)
STAY IN TOUCH
Our resident millennial has put together some advice on virtual meetings make our new virtual life just a little more manageable.
- OWB COVID Bulletins – See archive of industry emails related to COVID-19
- OWB Newsletter – See previous editions and sign up if you are not already receiving the Grapevine or other official notices from the OWB
- Oregon Wine Industry Collaboration Space (Facebook group) – managed by OWB, open to all members of Oregon wine industry
- OR Wine Industry Production Board (Facebook group)
- W.V. Wineries Industry Tasting Collective (Facebook group)
- Oregon Wine Industry Discussion Forum
- March 19 Meeting Notes
- March 24 Meeting Notes
- March 31 Meeting Notes
- April 7 Meeting Notes
- April 14 Meeting Notes
- April 21 Meeting Notes
- April 28 Meeting Notes
- May 5 Meeting Notes
- May 12 Meeting Notes
- May 19 Meeting Notes
- May 26 Meeting Notes
- June 2 Meeting Notes
- June 16 Meeting Notes
- June 30 Meeting Notes
- July 14 Meeting Notes
- July 28 Meeting Notes
- August 25 Meeting Notes
- September 8 Meeting Notes
- Oregon Wine Industry Marketing Response Group
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
If you have temporary positions to fill, post them to the OWB’s Marketplace and we’ll help get the word out to industry members looking for work.
Seen or heard of people / businesses in our community going out of their way to help others? We’re looking for anecdotes, so please let us know what positive examples you know of so that in turn we can help spotlight the good being done.
KEEP BUSINESS GOING
- Shipping included with 6-bottle purchase
- Offering tasting room exclusive wines for sale
- Including branded swag with purchase
- Complimentary delivery within a certain radius
- Curb-side pick-up at the tasting room
What are you doing, or seeing others do, to help keep sales going at this time? Let us know.

Screenshot of event submission form
Consider if online events – such as tastings, education, taking people behind the scenes in the cellar, or winemaker conversations – make sense for your businesses. Social platforms allow easy live-streaming to bring viewers inside your winery walls from anywhere in the world. A “Virtual Events” category has been added to the oregonwine.org consumer calendar. Click here to add your event and select “Virtual Events” so we can help promote.