Governor Stitt announces sweeping business restrictions to combat COVID-19

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OKLAHOMA CITY (MARCH 24, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt held a press conference Tuesday to provide an update on the State’s response to COVID-19 and announce amendments to Executive Order 2020-07.

“We remain committed to making decisions based on reliable data, emerging science and the advice of experts from my Governor’s Solution Task Force, the State Department of Health and the CDC on how to best slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Gov. Stitt. These new action items will allow us to ensure we remain proactive in our response to this on-going crisis. We will continue to take the necessary precautions and steps in order to prioritize the health and safety of all 4 million Oklahomans.”

The amended Executive Order provides for the following statewide measures:

  • Issues a statewide “Safer at Home” order for adults over the age of 65 and vulnerable individuals with serious underlying medical conditions.

  • Limits gatherings to no more than 10 people.

  • Prohibits visitations to nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

  • Postpones all elective surgeries, minor medical procedures and non-emergency dental procedures until April 7, 2020.

The amended Executive Order provides for the following measures in counties with community spread:

  • Requires restaurants in Oklahoma counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases to provide take-out and delivery options only and closes all bars in those counties.

  • Closes all businesses not identified as being within a critical infrastructure sector, such as gyms, salons, massage parlors and movie theaters, where counties have community spread effective March 25 at 11:59PM through April 15. Federal guidance on the essential critical infrastructure workforce can be found here: www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce. Additions may be added by Executive Order or memorandum.

During the press conference, the governor also announced the State of Oklahoma is working on a plan to designate hospitals in Oklahoma and Tulsa County to treat all COVID-19 patients. This will occur through attrition.