Three of the primary ways you can prevent the spread of Coronavirus is to get vaccinated, socially distance - and wear a mask indoors. The mask, when worn correctly, reduces your chance of getting infected, and, just as importantly, reduces the chance that you will spread it to someone else.
March 12, 2022 Update: Oregon has lifted its mandate for masks in public indoor settings, and we will no longer require guests to wear masks in our lodges. However, regardless of location, masks will continue to be required on public transportation, airplanes, and healthcare settings beyond the mandate being lifted, including on Mt. Hood Meadows shuttles.
November 23, 2021 Update: Oregon has lifted it's mandate for masks in public outdoor settings. So we will not require guests to wear masks outdoors, including in our lift lines. We encourage our guests to take every precaution to prevent becoming infected or spreading COVID - and that includes getting vaccinated (including the booster) and wearing masks around others. But masks are no longer required in our lift lines (unless guidance changes).
The science is very clear on this matter - wearing masks reduces infections. To be clear, as outlined in our COVID protocols, masks or face coverings will be required:
• Indoors at all times unless seated and actively eating or drinking in our designated dining areas
• On shuttles
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Meadows suspends passes for mask noncompliance or defiance. Please read this linked blog post.
Kids and Masks
According to the Oregon Health Authority Kids age 5 and older are required to wear a mask, and kids over 2 can wear a mask, as long as they're able to remove it themselves.
As mentioned - the science shows how masks reduce infections. The chart above shows that there are fewer COVID-19 symptoms reported in states with higher mask usage. And the graphic also shows why masks are effective, showing that two people wearing appropriate face coverings can reduce the risk of transmission by 95%. And of course, you can reduce that to virtually zero by being outdoors, socially distancing yourself from others and enjoying winter sports.
So let’s talk about these face coverings. Here's the requirements our team members will be following this season - wear a mask or cloth face covering at all times when indoors and when six feet of distance can not be maintained outdoors.
Now wearing a mask or face covering will only protect you or others if worn correctly and maintained properly. Here's a checklist of how to wear a cloth mask safely - make sure the mask completely covers your mouth and nose and fits snugly around your face.
We've received a lot of questions about gaiters and we are glad to see that the CDC has updated its guidance about neck gaiters. Double them up, and you're good to go! But we are not allowing face shields by themselves as a face covering - a face shield doesn't prevent aerosol spread (breathing in and out small droplets). But most of us will be wearing goggles, which provide eye protection.
Wearing a double-layered gaiter over a mask provides even greater protection when you are around others on the mountain, not only from the virus, but also from sun exposure. Mask up - and cover up for the best protection!
We appreciate all of our guests and team members complying with our face covering requirements and remind everyone about the three Ws which will help us assure we will have a successful season:
We have been getting questions about how to wear a mask with your helmet. The best way is to have your mask or buff on first and then put your helmet on. Here's a video to help illustrate this.