OKLAHOMA - Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday a three-phase approach to reopening the state economy. For it to begin, state officials said Oklahoma must ensure safe and efficient testing, provide guidance to employers to protect health and safety of workers, advise citizens on protocols for social distancing and face coverings and monitor conditions to limit any rebounds or outbreaks. Below are some highlights of the pan.
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If hospital & incident rates remain at a manageable level for 14 days, Oklahoma can move to Phase 1.
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Phase 1 Highlights
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April 24, 2020, the following businesses can reopen:
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- Personal care businesses, such as hair salons, barbershops, spas, nail salons, and pet groomers can reopen for appointments only, must adhere to sanitation protocols, and follow guidelines posted on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce website regarding social distancing between customers and visitors at personal care businesses.
- State parks and outdoor recreation should be reopened
- Grocery stores should continue to maintain hours for vulnerable populations
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May 1, 2020, the following businesses can reopen:
- Dining, entertainment, movie theatres and sporting venues can operate using CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols.
- Gyms can reopen if they adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols.
- Places of worship can reopen for in-person meetings or worship if they leave every other row or pew open and adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols, plus the recommended guidelines from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
- Bars should remain closed.
- Tattoo Parlors can reopen for appointments only and must adhere to sanitation protocols and social distancing protocols for distancing between customers and visitors.
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Phase 2 Highlights
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May 15, 2020
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- Organized sports activities can reopen and operate under proper social distancing and sanitation protocols
- Visits to Senior Care Facilities and Hospitals should still be prohibited
- Bars can operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate, and under social distancing and sanitation protocols.
- Funerals and weddings can resume under social distancing protocols
- Children’s nursery areas in places of worship can reopen
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The full plan can be seen at https://www.okcommerce.gov/wp-content/uploads/Open-Up-and-Recover-Safely-Plan.pdf.
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I desperately want to be eager for this to happen, but let’s be sadly realistic here, people won’t follow these protocols and protection rules. People have decided that they are to important and will do whatever they want to. Regardless of who it hurts….. or kills.
PSA: The Commons nursing home in Enid, OK has 2 confirmed covid-19 cases and I met a nurse from Servant Living Center in Medford, OK who expressed her lack of care for social distancing and her doubts of the virus to me.