Oregon, Washington reopenings mark return to business in mainland US Gov, Kate Brown's office Gov. Kate Brown speaks at reopening celebration at Providence Park in Portland PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon and Washington have lifted most of their COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday, becoming two of the last states to broadly ease coronavirus orders put in place in the very first days of the pandemic. New Mexico is scheduled to reopen Thursday, marking a return to business throughout the mainland U.S. following 16 months of disruption. The last holdout — Hawaii — has loosened some travel rules but is slated to maintain other restrictions until 70% of its population is fully vaccinated. The moves come as concern grows about a new coronavirus variant that threatens to set the country back in the months ahead.