During a global pandemic, with infection rates dramatically spiking in our community, non-essential retail stores need to be part of the collective effort to flatten the curve. Other retail giants, like KOLH'S, have pivoted to curb-side and delivery only shopping. To make matters worse, the Portland IKEA store is the only IKEA in Oregon and SW Washington, with populations from Idaho, California, and Washington ignoring travel restrictions to come shop in state. Additionally, the local store has reported several employees testing positive for COVID-19 in the last week. Unlike the Coquitlam, Canada location which closed temporarily after just one co-worker was infected, IKEA Portland has made the dangerous decision to remain open. 

Management is allowing customers with ineffective face coverings to enter IKEA while being inadequately staffed to ensure masks are worn properly while people are shopping. IKEA's store design makes limiting shopper's time in the store impossible. Management has yet to limit the time customers spend shopping in this maze of a warehouse, as it is designed to keep them inside as long as possible to increase sales. It's a potential super-spreader location because people regularly come from out-of-state to shop at IKEA and customers are not being tracked in case of an outbreak. It is impossible for shoppers to remain 6 ft. apart simply due to the layout of the store. Many customers and employees take public transit to the IKEA store, increasing the risk of community spread. Forcing employees to continue to work in this unsafe environment is not only irresponsible, but we need to hold businesses accountable if we have any hope of decreasing the spread of COVID-19. 

We ask that Governor Kate Brown restrict non-essential businesses like IKEA who are not designed for easy in-and-out shopping to curbside or delivery only shopping until the COVID-19 positive test rate returns to below 5% for Multnomah County.