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New proclamation issued in Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 response; addresses distancing, sanitizing requirements for new phase beginning May 15

Post Date:05/14/2020 2:15 PM

Mayor David Holt signed a new emergency proclamation for Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 response that includes required conditions on high-risk activities that are intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

This proclamation follows Mayor Holt’s announced intention to largely align this new phase of Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 response with the State of Oklahoma’s OURS Plan.

The proclamation takes effect May 15. Its provisions will be re-evaluated no later than May 29. White House and State of Oklahoma guidelines require this phase to last at least two weeks. Based on public health data, it could potentially enter another phase at the conclusion of that two-week period.

Visit covid19.okc.gov for the latest local COVID-19 news, guidance and City services updates.

General information

Mayor Holt and public health officials encourage Oklahoma City residents and employers to follow best practices recommended by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD). The best practices include:

Continue practicing social distancing when possible, including staying 6 feet away from other people.
Wear a face mask in public. Click here for a guide on how to make a mask at home.
Workplaces should comply with all general and industry-specific distancing and hygiene guidelines.
Work remotely if possible.
Limit unnecessary travel.
Accommodate high-risk employees.
Minimize face-to-face contact.
Use flexible work hours or staggered shifts.

Find the guidelines at occhd.org/reopen. Industry-specific guidance is available.

Following U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, employers in Oklahoma City should allow employees who choose to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) because of potential hazards on the job to do so, if it doesn’t interfere with essential job functions. Enforcement will be through mechanisms provided by OSHA.

Food service and similar

Restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, taverns, shopping mall food courts, food halls, cafeterias, night clubs, hookah bars, cigar bars, vaping lounges and any other food service establishments are required to maintain at least the following standards to limit the spread of the virus:

Employees’ temperatures should be checked each day either by the employee or their employer. Employees with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher should not be at the facility.
Servers and staff interacting with customers must wear a face mask or covering, unless the staff member is behind a barrier such as Plexiglass.
Tables must be at least 6 feet apart.
Menus must be single-use or capable of being sanitized with antimicrobial disinfectants after each use.
Condiment bottles must be sanitized after each table change, or served in a single-use packet, disposable container or washable dish.
Service at buffets and salad bars must be provided by an employee only.
Tables, chairs and objects needed to complete a purchase must be sanitized with antimicrobial disinfectants after each use.
Standing room-only patios are limited to 50% of total patio occupancy capacity.

Personal care services

Hair and nail salons, barber shops, cosmetology facilities, esthetician facilities, laser hair removal facilities, spas, massage facilities, tattoo parlors and piercing facilities must follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sanitizing protocols and comply with at least the following standards:

Employees’ temperatures should be checked each day either by the employee or their employer. Employees with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher should not be at the facility.
Employees must use face masks or coverings.
Disposable face masks must be offered to all customers who don’t have their own mask.
All chairs and tools must be sanitized using antimicrobial disinfectants between customers.
While receiving services, customers must remain at least 6 feet apart.

Gyms and other athletic facilities

The City’s Senior Health and Wellness Centers will remain closed until Gov. Kevin Stitt lifts the “Safer at Home” order for people age 65 and older and people with serious underlying medical conditions.

All athletic gyms, recreation centers, exercise facilities, indoor sports facilities, indoor climbing facilities, bowling alleys, skating rinks, trampoline parks, whitewater rafting facilities and similar facilities must maintain strict social distancing, CDC sanitizing protocols and maintain these standards:

Employees’ temperatures should be checked each day either by the employee or their employer. Employees with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher should not be at the facility.
Employees that have contact with the public must wear a face mask or covering, unless the staff member is behind a barrier such as Plexiglass.
Doorknobs, gates, counters and other high-touch surfaces should be regularly cleaned and sanitized with antimicrobial disinfectants.
Locker rooms and bathrooms, particularly high-touch surfaces, must be cleaned and sanitized regularly and have hand-washing supplies.
Hand-washing or hand sanitizing supplies must be available for employees and customers.
Rental and shared equipment must be cleaned and sanitized by the customer or an employee between each use using antimicrobial disinfectants.
All food service must comply with the food service requirements listed above.

Entertainment and places of worship

Movie and live theaters, concert halls, bingo halls, sporting venues, amusement parks, places of worship, wedding venues, funeral homes (and graveside services), and other businesses where people gather for presentation or entertainment must maintain strict social distancing, CDC sanitizing protocols and comply with at least the following standards:

Employees’ temperatures should be checked each day either by the employee or their employer. Employees with a fever of 100.4 degrees or should not be at the facility.
Offer seating in a staggered manner with at least two seats between customer groups in the same row. Every other row must be closed. Movable seating must be spaced to accomplish the same spacing.
All food service must comply with the food service requirements listed above.

What’s next?

White House and State of Oklahoma guidelines for this phase require it to last at least two weeks.

Mayor Holt intends to continue evaluating criteria defined by the White House as he gauges Oklahoma City’s readiness for a new phase, will continue to listen to local public health officials, and will stay in touch with the Gov. Stitt and state public health officials.

To see the State of Oklahoma’s plans for this new phase, known as the OURS Plan, visit okcommerce.gov/covid19.

Background

Public health data shows Oklahoma City meets White House criteria indicating it’s possible to continue a phased re-opening of business activity.

The City’s emergency proclamation is authorized under Chapter 15 Article III of City Code and Title 21, Section 1321.9 of Oklahoma Statutes. It was first issued March 16, and was previously modified March 17, March 25, March 28, April 2 and April 29. It will remain in effect until the Mayor signs a proclamation to end it. The Mayor may modify the terms of the emergency for as long as it remains in effect.

The terms of the state and local emergency restrictions are based on fast-evolving guidance from the CDC, OCCHD and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

What to do if you're sick

COVID-19 symptoms are:

Fever
Dry cough
Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
Here's a symptom tracker.

If you’re sick, stay home. Avoid public areas. Stay away from others. Wear a mask or other face covering when you are around other people.

If you're sick, do not go to the ER. Consult first with a health care provider. Regardless of whether tests show you have a common cold, the flu or COVID-19, doctors will tell most people to stay home, rest, get plenty of fluids and avoid contact with others.

If your symptoms worsen, you have difficulty breathing or you have a fever for more than 72 hours, call your doctor. If you don't have health insurance or a doctor, call (405) 425-4489.

Learn more here.

Face coverings

The CDC recommends you wear cloth face coverings in public.

They’re primarily to protect you from accidentally infecting others. They keep germs closer to your body, instead of going onto a surface that someone else touches later -- even if that person is wearing a mask.

Many infected people take a long time to develop symptoms, or never do. If they wear cloth face coverings for rare outings, it’ll slow down COVID-19.

What’s a cloth face covering? Here's a do-it-yourself guide from the CDC.

Information and resources for people

OKC metro summary from OCCHD

What to do if you're sick
Symptom tracker
COVID-19 call center: (405) 271-0411 (se habla español)
Local wellness, nutrition, financial and mental health resources from OCCHD

Emergency order in OKC

Statewide summary from OSDH

What to do if you're sick
COVID-19 call center: (877) 215-8336 (se habla español)

Ways to get help

National Disaster Distress Helpline (24/7, year-round counseling, resources and support)
Heartline Oklahoma (2-1-1) (24/7, year-round counseling, resources and support)
No health insurance, but have COVID-19 symptoms and you're in a high-risk group? Call (405) 425-4489.
Aid for small businesses

Help for businesses with five or fewer employees
Get individualized help at no cost from specialists via the U.S. Conference of Mayors Small Business and Entrepreneurship Task Force. Read more here.