The state of Oregon has extended through the winter its temporary farm labor housing restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The rules, which banned the use of bunkbeds for unrelated workers, had been set to lift Oct. 24, along with regulations for field sanitation and transportation. Only the rules related to housing have been extended through April 30. Other mandated housing measures involve sanitation and isolation protocols for sick workers.

Gov. Kate Brown announced the decision with an executive order on Oct. 23. To read it, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WI_NRpSHa3-alp_ecVptTooZB52EZY-I/view.

The state has set aside federal funds to reimburse growers who make modifications to their housing facilities to comply with the rules. The application deadline for that has been extended from Oct. 25 to Nov. 6, said Jonathan Standow of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The deadline for receipts is still Nov. 16.

—by Ross Courtney