Yellowhawk removes COVID mask mandate Mask requirements have been in effect since August 2021

MISSION – Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, the health clinic on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has emoved the COVID masking requirement .

Since August 2021, workers in health care settings have been required to wear masks. On March 3, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that workers, patients and visitors in health care settings will no longer be required to wear masks beginning April 3.

The decision to end the Yellowhawk mask requirement aligns with the statewide health care mask requirements and comes as a relief for many.

“Yellowhawk will continue to provide COVID testing in-house, and informational resources to our patients. The health and wellness of our patients and staff is the top priority. We encourage anyone who wishes to remain masked to feel comfortable and free to wear their masks and we will continue to provide masks for those who wish to wear one,” stated

Yellowhawk CEO, Aaron Hines. Masks remain an effective way to decrease transmission of respiratory viruses. It is recommended to wear masks when people are sick. Individuals with health conditions that may put them at high risk for severe illness from a respiratory virus exposure should continue to mask up.

Yellowhawk implemented temporary policies to meet COVID-19 needs, as of March 31, 2023 all temporary COVID-19 policies will expire. Beginning April 1, only Yellowhawk eligible patients will be able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at Yellowhawk. Temporarily, CTUIR entity employees and family members, that were non-eligible patients, were allowed to receive their COVID-19 vaccines for free at our facility – staff provided approximately 8,200 COVID-19 vaccinations to our community. In order to protect our communities, Yellowhawk strongly encourages community members to stay up to date with vaccinations and boosters.

Sen. Wyden meets with tribal leaders at Nixyaawii Community School