Mayor G.T. Bynum and the Tulsa City Council added more rule and regulations concerning the Chinese coronavirus outbreak and gave more teeth to enforcement of the new rules.

The new ordinances include:

  • A requirement for a “safety plan” for any event with 150 or more people has to be submitted and approved by the Tulsa City/County Health Department two weeks before the event. Previously, that number was 500 attendees.
  • Giving the THD the power to enforce the new rules in public places like restaurants and bars. City code enforcement officers will assist in this crackdown.
  • They mandate certain distances be maintained in public places like bars and restaurants.
  • Businesses will be required to make extra efforts to make sure customers and event attendees meet mask mandates plus businesses must have a “sanitation protocol” for employees and customers.

Businesses that do not fully comply with these new laws about  face covering, social distance, separation, or events can be declared a “public nuisance” and will be subject to being shut down or other penalties.

Meanwhile, the Broken Arrow City Council and mayor are not supporting a legally enforceable mask mandate. A non-binding resolution that would have recommended masks in public failed by a 1-4 vote before the Council. That resolution would have allowed police to intervene at some level if there were reports of non-compliance.

Councilors believe that Broken Arrow doesn’t have the legal authority to mandate masks. Broken Arrow has been following the state mandates from Gov. Kevin Stitt.

The City of Owasso has approved a similar ordinance.

Glenpool, Claremore and Sapulpa have passed mask ordinances.

The mask ordinance in Tulsa remains the same. The existing mask mandate requires a mask for all persons 10 years old and older in public settings and in places of public accommodation.

Officials want the public to contact the city if they encounter any businesses that don’t adhere strictly to these new laws. In fact, they have set up a website, tulsahealth.org/COVIDcomplaint, to help people complain about violators.

And officials say more rules and regulations could coming. 

“I want to thank leadership from so many of our surrounding communities and especially my colleagues on the Tulsa City Council for stepping up to help save lives and assist our strained healthcare system,” Bynum said. “I fully support these increased mitigation efforts for Tulsa and strongly encourage Tulsans to stay vigilant as we navigate through one of the most testing times of this pandemic. I will sign these measures into law … and am grateful for all the businesses and individuals who are doing their part to help mitigate the spread of this disease.”

“Many thanks to my colleagues on the Council, the Mayor and City/Health Department staff for their efforts in crafting regulations to protect our community,” Council Chair Ben Kimbro said. “Local government is responsible for ensuring public safety. These ordinances were passed in the interest of saving lives; period. I ask the community to partner with the city and the Health Department to help stop the spread of this virus. We all need to work together to preserve the health of our fellow citizens, especially our most vulnerable.”

“I appreciate the City of Tulsa’s efforts to strengthen existing ordinances to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our community, particularly our most vulnerable,” THD Executive Director Dr. Dart said. “The Tulsa Health Department remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of Tulsa County residents as well. Just as THD staff inspect local food establishments to ensure they are operating safely to prevent foodborne illnesses, our staff will now also help local businesses keep their employees and customers safe.”

During the holiday season, THD recommends Tulsa area residents:

  1. Avoid gatherings
  2. Take precautions at Christmas (meet only with your household or do a videoconference Christmas)
  3. Stay safe while shopping (shop online, if possible)
  4. Wash your hands
  5. Wear your mask
  6. Watch your distance
  7. Order take-out
  8. Work from home, if possible

Here is how some entities are reacting:

  • The Tulsa Ballet had reduced capacity to below 10 percent in all operations and let administrative staff work from home the week after Thanksgiving.
  • The Tulsa Zoo continues to cap capacity and sanitize all high-touch surfaces every few hours.
  • Philbrook Museum changed operating hours and is strictly enforcing the mask mandate with no medical exemptions allowed.
  • The BOK Center delayed the start of Arvest Winterfest to November 30.
  • Gathering Place, in addition to its enhanced sanitation efforts, is reducing its operating hours and will close buildings should crowds warrant.
  • Discovery Lab continues limit guest sizes.
  • Tulsa Performing Arts Center moved its planned indoor concert for November 21 to a livestream event with no audience.