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Documenting Oklahoma's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Oklahoma's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

June 2021

  • June 28: The state stopped participating in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs June 26. Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) made the announcement May 17.
  • June 1: On Friday, May 28, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring visitors or employees to wear masks or be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the premises. The order exempts state buildings used for medical purposes.

May 2021

  • May 4: On Monday, May 3, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced that he would end the statewide COVID-19 state of emergency. The emergency ended Tuesday, May 4

March 2021

  • March 29: All residents 16 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 29.
  • March 24: On Tuesday, March 23, Deputy Commissioner of Health Keith Reed announced that all residents 16 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 29.
  • March 12 : On Thursday, March 11, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced he would ease coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings and indoor sporting events on Friday, March 12. Stitt also said he would end a requirement that people wear masks in state buildings.
  • March 10: On Tuesday, March 9, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced that residents of long-term care facilities can designate people, including family members, to be essential caregivers, so long as those caregivers complete state-certified training. Caregivers who complete the training are permitted to visit residents in the facilities so long as masks are worn and both the resident and the caregiver have either been vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19.
  • March 9: On Monday, March 8, the Department of Health announced that residents in Phase 3 of the vaccination plan are now eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Phase 3 includes teachers, students, and staff 16 and older at colleges and universities, as well as workers in essential industries.

February 2021

  • February 22: School teachers and staff are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting Feb. 22. Adults under 65 with certain health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, are also eligible.
  • February 12: On Thursday, Feb. 22, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced that school teachers and staff will become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 22. Adults under 65 with certain health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, will also become eligible.
  • February 11: On Wednesday, Feb. 10, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill allowing public bodies, such as city councils, to meet virtually during the pandemic. A similar law was in effect through Nov. 15, 2020.

January 2021

  • January 14: On Wednesday, Jan. 13, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) extended the statewide coronavirus emergency an additional 30 days and removed a requirement that bars and restaurants close to indoor dining at 11 p.m.
  • January 13: On Tuesday, Jan. 12, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced that schools enforcing social distancing and mask-wearing will not have to quarantine students who were potentially exposed to the virus but are not showing symptoms. The new policy does not apply to students who were potentially exposed during after-school activities, including sports. Previously, schools were required to enforce a two-week quarantine for students potentially exposed to COVID-19, whether or not they exhibited symptoms.

December 2020

  • December 11: On Thursday, Dec. 10, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issued an updated executive order restricting public gatherings to 50% capacity and limiting youth indoor sporting events to four spectators per player or 50% of the facility’s capacity, whichever is less. The order also extends a requirement that restaurants and bars close to indoor dining by 11 p.m.

November 2020

  • November 19: On Monday, Nov. 16, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced that face coverings would be required on state property, and bars and restaurants would have to close by 11 p.m. for indoor service beginning Nov. 19.

August 2020

  • August 31: On Aug. 28, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issued an emergency order extending the statewide state of emergency for 30 days. Stitt first declared a state of emergency on March 15.
  • August 19: On Aug. 19, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the state’s application to participate in the LWA program. The program allows states to provide up to $300 in additional unemployment benefits to recipients. The state will not provide any matching funds.

July 2020

  • July 31: Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced on July 30 that he directed the State Health Department and the Department of Education to work together to develop a plan to test teachers for COVID-19 on a monthly basis.

June 2020

  • June 15: Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced that nursing homes and long-term care facilities can begin a phased reopening on June 15. For visitation to resume, the facility must not have had coronavirus cases for two weeks and follow protocols, including appropriate staffing levels and personal protective equipment.
  • June 1: Oklahoma is moving into Phase 3 of Gov. Kevin Stitt's (R) “Open Up and Recover Safely" plan on June 1. The following changes go into effect: church and school summer camps may reopen, businesses may resume unrestricted staffing at worksites with social distancing and sanitation measures, and businesses that were operating by appointment only may accept walk-ins. Under Phase 3, visits to hospitals can resume, with limitations such as one representative per patient and social distancing. Visits to senior care facilities are still prohibited.

May 2020

  • May 15: The second phase of Oklahoma’s reopening plan began May 15. Under this phase, vulnerable individuals are directed to continue following safer-at-home guidelines. Individuals are directed to maintain social distancing measures and avoid group socializing. Employers must close common areas or enforce social distancing and hygiene measures, honor requests from vulnerable employees for special accommodations, and implement social distancing measures, including the use of personal protective equipment when working with the public. Also under phase two, organized sports activities can reopen with social distancing and sanitation measures, bars can operate with diminished standing room and social distancing and sanitation measures, childcare areas in places of worship can reopen, and funerals and weddings can resume with social distancing measures. Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals are still prohibited under phase two.
  • May 12: Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced Oklahoma was ready to move into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan as intended on May 15. Under Phase 2, vulnerable populations are directed to continue following safer-at-home guidelines. Other individuals are directed to maintain social distancing measures and avoid group socializing, but can consider resuming nonessential travel. Employers are directed to close common areas or enforce social distancing and hygiene measures, honor the requests of vulnerable employees for special accommodations, and implement social distancing measures, including the use of personal protective equipment when working with the public. Also under Phase 2, organized sports activities can reopen under social distancing and sanitation measures, bars can operate with diminished standing room and social distancing and sanitation measures, childcare areas in places of worship can reopen and funerals and weddings can resume with social distancing measures. Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals are still prohibited under Phase 2.
  • May 7: In a Wednesday press conference, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced the state was on track to begin phase two of Oklahoma’s reopening plan, “Open Up and Recover Safely.” Phase two would begin on May 15, and allow bars to open with reduced standing-room capacity, along with the resumption of funerals and weddings.

April 2020

  • April 27: Oklahoma allowed personal care businesses including barbershops, nail salons, and spas to reopen Friday under certain guidelines. Gov. Kevin Stitt's (R) plan also reopens state parks and outdoor recreation. Oklahoma is a Republican trifecta.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health released a distribution plan on November 20, 2020.

Quick facts

Oklahoma state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Oklahoma State Department of Health
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? COVID-19 vaccine phases
Where can I find the distribution plan? Distribution plan
When was the plan first released to the public? November 20, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? November 20, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? Vaccine FAQS
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? Coronavirus
Where is the state health department's homepage? Oklahoma State Department of Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Oklahoma - AARP

Timeline

  • March 29, 2021: Oklahoma residents 16 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[2]
  • March 24, 2021: Oklahoma Deputy Commissioner of Health Keith Reed announced that all residents 16 and older would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 29.[3]
  • March 8, 2021: The Oklahoma Department of Health announced that residents in Phase 3 of the vaccination plan were eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Phase 3 included teachers, students, and staff 16 and older at colleges and universities, as well as workers in essential industries.[4]
  • February 22, 2021: In Oklahoma, school teachers and staff became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Adults under 65 with certain health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, also became eligible.[5]
  • February 12, 2021: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced school teachers and staff would become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 22. Adults under 65 with certain health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, would also become eligible.[6]


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Oklahoma to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Oklahoma were closed to in-person instruction on March 17, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Oklahoma .[7][8]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in Oklahoma .[9][10]
  • July 31, 2020: Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced a distribution system for school PPE and said that schools would reopen for in-person instruction in the fall.[11]
  • June 3, 2020: The Oklahoma Department of Education released guidelines for reopening schools for the 2020-2021 school year.[12]


Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Oklahoma have restrictions on travel? No. The quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers ended on May 11, 2020. Visitors are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines[15].

More information can be found at the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Timeline

  • May 11, 2020: The requirement for out-of-state travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana, and Washington to self-quarantine for 14 days ended with the release of Gov. Kevin Stitt's (R) Amended Executive Order 2020-13, which went into effect May 12. Amended Executive Order 2020-13 called for out-of-state travelers to adhere to all CDC recommendations.[16]
  • March 29, 2020: Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issued an amendment to Executive Order 2020-07 requiring people entering Oklahoma from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana, and Washington to self-quarantine for two weeks.[17]


Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Oklahoma did not issue a statewide mask requirement.


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Greenwood Centre, Ltd. v. SMG and ASM Global Parent, Inc. On June 16, 2020. Judge Rebecca B. Nightingale, of the District Court of Tulsa County, denied a request for a temporary injunction seeking to force a scheduled rally by the Donald Trump (R) campaign to abide by state and local reopening rules, which are modeled after CDC guidelines, designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The complaint, filed by petitioners from Tulsa’s Greenwood District against the owner of the proposed rally venue, sought a court order "to protect against a substantial, imminent, and deadly risk to the community" posed by the June 20 event. Plaintiffs, while not seeking to bar the rally outright, sought "limited relief based on Oklahoma’s public nuisance laws," asking that the court mandate social distancing protocols and compulsory use of face-masks. Following Nightingale’s denial of the emergency motion, the plaintiffs sought review from the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The state supreme court declined to take up the case.[18]

South Wind Women's Center v. Stitt: On March 30, 2020, a group of abortion providers filed suit against Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) after he signed an executive order postponing all elective surgeries until April 30, which included abortions. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The plaintiffs in the case were represented by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Center for Reproductive Rights.[19]

On April 6, Judge Charles B. Goodwin issued a temporary restraining order against the governor's executive order. His order allowed women in Oklahoma to receive abortions if they would be beyond the legal 20-week limit by April 30.[20] The ruling was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. On April 13, the Tenth Circuit issued a unanimous, unsigned opinion upholding the lower court's ruling.[21] A preliminary injunction against the order was issued on April 20, meaning abortion access would resume April 24 and last until a decision was reached in the case.[22]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Matt Pinnell Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma March 26, 2020 On March 26, 2020, Pinnell announced that he was entering self-quarantine for coronavirus after he and his family returned from a spring break trip to Florida.[23]
Jason Lowe Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 March 25, 2020 It was announced that Lowe tested positive for coronavirus.[24]
Paul Rosino Oklahoma State Senate District 45 March 24, 2020 Rosino announced he tested positive for coronavirus.[25]
Chris Sloan Oklahoma City District Attorney March 20, 2020 Sloan tested positive for coronavirus after learning a friend he traveled with also tested positive.[26]
Kendra Horn U.S. House Oklahoma District 5 March 19, 2020 Horn announced a self-quarantine after a member of the U.S. House she previously had contact with tested positive for coronavirus.[27]
Tom Cole (Oklahoma) U.S. House Oklahoma District 4 March 19, 2020 Cole announced a voluntary self-quarantine after being in contact with a colleagues who tested positive for coronavirus.[28]
Cynthia Roe Oklahoma House of Representatives District 42 June 26, 2020 Roe announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19.[29]
Kevin Stitt Governor of Oklahoma July 15, 2020 Stitt announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.[30]


Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OK329
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OK323
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OK38
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OK222
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OK214
  7. ↑ Burbio rated Oklahoma's in-person index at 89.7. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  8. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  9. ↑ Burbio rated Oklahoma's in-person index between 40-60. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  10. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  11. ↑ The Oklahoman, "Stitt puts $10 million toward school PPE, promises teacher testing," July 31, 2020
  12. ↑ Oklahoma Department of Education, "State Department of Education releases school reopening framework," June 3, 2020
  13. ↑ The Oklahoman, "Coronavirus in Oklahoma: State Board of Education votes to keep school buildings closed, canceling remaining spring sports," March 25, 2020
  14. ↑ Tahlequah Daily Press, "Oklahoma schools to close until April 6," March 16, 2020
  15. ↑ Office of the Governor, "Amended Executive Order 2020-13," accessed June 18, 2020
  16. ↑ Office of the Governor, "Amended Executive Order 2020-13," accessed June 18, 2020
  17. ↑ KSLA, "Gov. Stitt issues updates to Executive Order, orders mandatory quarantine for travelers from six states," March 29, 2020
  18. ↑ Courthouse News Service, "Judge Denies Bid to Require Social Distancing at Trump’s Tulsa Campaign Rally," June 16, 2020
  19. ↑ Center for Reproductive Rights, "Abortion Providers File Litigation in Four States To Protect Access to Essential Abortion Care," March 30, 2020
  20. ↑ The Hill, "Federal judge partially blocks Oklahoma abortion ban," April 6, 2020
  21. ↑ The Hill, "Appeals court backs ruling allowing abortion in Oklahoma during coronavirus pandemic," April 13, 2020
  22. ↑ KTUL, "District judge says abortion providers can stay open during coronavirus lawsuit," April 21, 2020
  23. ↑ Oklahoma's New 4, "Oklahoma lieutenant governor self-quarantines after traveling for spring break," March 26, 2020
  24. ↑ ABC 7, "Okla. representative recovering after positive COVID-19 test," March 25, 2020
  25. ↑ News 9, "Oklahoma Senator Paul Rosino Tests Positive For Coronavirus (COVID-19)," March 24, 2020
  26. ↑ News 9,"OKC Attorney With Coronavirus (COVID-19) Warns Others In His Profession To Take The Disease Serious," March 20, 2020
  27. ↑ The Oklahoman, "U.S. Reps. Kendra Horn, Tom Cole to self-quarantine for two weeks," March 20, 2020
  28. ↑ The Oklahoman, "U.S. Reps. Kendra Horn, Tom Cole to self-quarantine for two weeks," March 20, 2020
  29. ↑ The Oklahoman, "Oklahoma legislator catches COVID, halts campaigning amid primary challenge," July 1, 2020
  30. ↑ Axios, "Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt tests positive for coronavirus," July 14, 2020
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