This page will be updated periodically as more information is available.
Coronavirus Information and Impacts
The health and the well-being of our community members, employees, businesses, and partners are our top priority. While we do not provide health services like Jackson County Health and Human Services, we do provide critical services for our residents.The City is taking action to slow the spread of COVID-19 and amplify messages, recommendations and preventative measures of the lead agencies. We encourage residents to utilize these health experts for accurate COVID-19 information:
Formally Declaring a Local State of Emergency
Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler has formally declared a local state of emergency for the City of Medford as a precautionary measure to provide the City with increased flexibility in terms of resources, purchasing, and emergency response options for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
This is not a declaration of a public health emergency as that is not our role. The declaration enables the City and staff to be in the best position to serve the community where needed most. Other cities in the state have taken similar action.
“We are working diligently to respond to this rapidly evolving situation,” said Mayor Gary Wheeler. “This declaration is not meant to cause panic, but instead, assure residents that the City is taking every precaution possible to prevent the spread of this virus in our community.”
The City Council will vote to ratify this declaration at the upcoming City Council meeting on Thursday, March 19.
City of Medford Services
- City of Medford Facilities Are Closed through April 17 - The City has suspended meetings, temporarily closed facilities, and modified face-to-face services to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Essential City services are still running. Some are available online, by phone, and by email. Details about City Services - What's Open?
- Municipal Court Updates: All municipal court proceedings, with the exception of in-custody arraignments, are postponed until at least April 21. Community members are asked to call 541-774-2040 to reschedule currently-scheduled proceedings. Visit our Online Services webpage to learn how you can pay your citation.
- Utility Billing Updates: All Utility Billing services are available online or by phone, and the office is closed to the public for the time being. Customers can pay their utility bill online or by phone at 541-774-2140. Customers may also make payments using these dropbox locations or mail payments to: City of Medford Utilities – P.O. Box 2327, Portland, OR 97208.
- Utility customers will not be charged late fees for past due balances through April 30.
- The City will temporarily suspend sending past due bills to collections.
- Emergency Services Will Not Change - We will continue to respond to emergency calls for service, in-progress crimes, and other high priority life/safety issues. Our police and fire personnel are equipped with personal protective equipment, have the training and protocols they need to protect themselves and community members.
- Current Cancellations and Postponements in Medford - In response to Governor Brown's statewide directive to cancel all events and gatherings larger than 25 people the City has made the thoughtful decision to cancel a number of events and programs. Click here for the full list (this list will be updated).
Online Services
File Police Report
Submit incidents to MPD and print your own case report.
Utility Billing
View and pay your utility bill or set up auto-pay.
Business License Renewal
Search business license information or renew online.
Municipal Court Citations
Pay citations filed with the Medford Municipal Court.
Building Permit Services
Pay fees, schedule inspections and view inspection results.
Building ePlan Review
Upload plans and documents for review.
Parking Citations
Pay your downtown parking citation.
News & Info
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3/20/2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
During times of distress and uncertainty, the sense of belonging is particularly important. Here are a few tips and ideas of how you can keep yourself and others safe, as well as assist those in need.
Use Hygienic PracticesIf you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands often for at least twenty seconds. Cover your cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Keep Your Distance
Practice social distancing, such as keeping six feet between yourself and others, avoid shaking hands, and avoid crowded areas. If you have a chronic disease, a compromised immune system or are over 60 or pregnant, avoid unnecessary travel and unnecessary gatherings and events.
If you are feeling sick and experiencing any symptoms, stay at home and away from others, especially those who are more susceptible to COVID-19.
Check Your Health
Monitor your health and talk to a medical professional if you recently traveled in an area with coronavirus infections; have been in contact with someone who tested positive, or are showing symptoms.
Be cautious about helping others if any of these apply to you. Talk to a medical professional, either by calling your local provider or using 2-1-1. Only call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency.
Public health goals for COVID-19 testing are:
- To understand the geographic spread of the virus within Oregon
- To identify groups at highest risk for severe disease
- To protect those at highest risk
- To understand trends for the infection in Oregon
To these ends, priorities for testing for COVID-19, either at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory or at other laboratories, are:
- Symptomatic residents or inmates in long-term-care facilities, corrections and other high-risk congregate settings; and workers and staff in these facilities, and workers in critical infrastructure. (We expect that healthcare and other employers will take responsibility for their own staff: that they do not work while sick; and if they have exposed others while ill with COVID-like symptoms, that testing will be arranged by the employer.)
- Persons hospitalized with otherwise unexplained, apparently viral, pneumonia; and unattended deaths.
- Symptomatic individuals identified by local and tribal public health authorities who pose risk to vulnerable populations, should they prove to have COVID-19.
- Limited testing of symptomatic outpatients, through our current “Sentinel Provider” surveillance system (for influenza-like illness).
We require Oregon laboratories, and ask out-of-state reference laboratories, to report both positive and negative test results, so that we can calculate percentage positive in various settings and among various demographic groups.
Source: Oregon Health Authority
- Safeway and Albertsons Special Shopping Hours
- Fred Meyer Special Shopping Hours
- Cartwright's Market Special Shopping Hours
- Sherm's Markets Special Shopping Hours
- Instacart delivery service. Order products from Albertsons, Safeway, Costco (no membership required!), PetCo, and Natural Grocers. You can ask for your groceries to be left at your door.
Meals on Wheels & Senior Meals Program:
- Call 541-734-9505
- Visit website
- Local Food Bank - ACCESS
- Phone: 541-779-6691
- Click to visit webpage
- Meals on Wheels & Senior Meals Program
- Phone: 541-734-9505
- Click to visit webpage
- Jackson County United Way Food Resources
- State Resources: Click here to visit webpage