(Oklahoma City, OK) Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday announced further restrictions to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Oklahoma.
Stitt announced a statewide executive order during a news conference Tuesday:
1.The order enforces “Safer at Home” order statewide, requesting elderly and individuals who are immunocompromised or have pre-existing condition to shelter in their homes, leaving only for essential needs like groceries or prescriptions, until April 30.
2. The order closes non-essential businesses that are in Oklahoma counties with confirmed cases of COVID-19:
- Businesses explicitly listed include: hair salons, gyms, theaters, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, museums, etc.
- Restaurants may remain open in these counties but must close their dine-in area, offering instead curbside pickup and delivery.
- Businesses must come into compliance by midnight March 25.
- This would apply, as of Tuesday, to 19 counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases
3. The order suspends elective surgeries, minor medical procedures, and non-emergency dental procedures beginning March 25 for the next two weeks to preserve medical supplies and PPE for COVID-19 response.
4. The order prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people.
5. The order restricts visitors at nursing homes, retirement or long-term care facilities.
6. The order activated the Oklahoma National Guard Regional Training Institute where 19 members of the Guard have been mobilized to observe COVID-19 developments and be ready to take any necessary actions requested by the governor to help communities and hospitals.
7. The order formed the Governor’s Solution Task Force to provide comprehensive solutions for COVID-19 pandemic, from forward planning for statewide hospital capacity to innovation strategizing for economic impact.
The governor also announced during the news conference that the state is working on a plan to designate hospitals in Oklahoma and Tulsa County to treat all COVID-19 patients.
