Mayor G.T. Bynum reluctantly supports an end to Tulsa’s mask mandate as scheduled at the end of April.

Bynum heard recommendations from the Tulsa Health Department and the Mayor-Council COVID-19 Working Group.

“… the City of Tulsa’s COVID working group met with public health leadership,” Bynum said. “According to the Tulsa Health Department, our trends remain good. There has not been a spike in contagion resulting from Spring Break. If these trends continue through the end of the month, the Health Department’s recommendation is that the City’s mask ordinance can expire as scheduled on April 30.  I support this recommendation.”

Expiration of this ordinance on April 30 will end the mandate for masks in public places, the spacing requirement in restaurants, and the requirement of safety plans for events over 150 people. Expiration  will not limit private businesses and property owners to require masks in their establishments.

“Remaining in effect after April 30 will be my executive order requiring all restaurant and bar employees to wear masks at work and requiring an approved safety plan for events over 500 people in attendance,” Bynum said. “Public health officials recommend these regulations remain in effect until we reach herd immunity, and I agree with their recommendation. The improvement in COVID hospitalizations since statewide vaccination began has been dramatic.

Phase 1 of the state’s vaccination program began on December 14 of last year. On that day, 405 people were hospitalized in Tulsa County with COVID-19.

Phase 2 of the state’s vaccination program began on January 4. On that day, 453 people were hospitalized in Tulsa County with COVID-19.

Phase 3 of the state’s vaccination program began on March 9. On that day, 70 people were hospitalized in Tulsa County with COVID-19.

Phase 4 of the state’s vaccination program began on March 29. On that day, 34 people were hospitalized in Tulsa County with COVID-19. 

As of April 14, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 73,345 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County, with 1,022 people having died.

Anyone over 16 years old who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can schedule an appointment through the State’s vaccine portal at: vaccinate.ok.gov. For questions on vaccines and appointments, call THD at 918-582-9355 or call 211. Additionally, a federally supported community vaccination center is open in Tulsa at TCC Northeast Campus, 3727 East Apache Street.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. The bill provides $1.9 trillion in COVID-19 relief funding for public health, vaccination support, state and local governments, individuals and businesses. Tulsa small businesses may be able to use these programs to receive support. A few of the programs Tulsans can use include:

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Tulsa restaurant and bar owners will be able to apply for grants of up to $5 million for restaurants and $10 million for restaurant groups. Most restaurants are eligible, with the exception of those owners who own more than 20 restaurants.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program

Live venue operators, theatrical producers, live performing arts organizations, relevant museum operators, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, and others may qualify for grants equal to 45 percent of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million.