Gov. Kate Brown ordered a statewide requirement to wear masks indoors beginning Friday in public places as state health officials worry the delta variant of COVID-19 is getting out of control.

“Moving forward, for the immediate future, masks will be required for all indoor public settings,” Brown said. “Delta is a different virus — it has changed everything.”

The mandate applies to adults and children older than 5. On public transit, it also includes children older than 2.

The move came the day after the Oregon Health & Science University’s infectious disease experts forecast that Oregon could see 1,000 COVID-19 patients in hospitals by early next month. A surge of that level would swamp the state medical system and leave it 500 beds short of what it needs to care for virus patients and the usual intensive care issues such as heart attack, accidents and crime victims.

Oregon OSHA will be the key to enforcement for employers and employees, with an education-first approach.

OSHA won’t conduct inspections or issue fines immediately.