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Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Oklahoma)
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 coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:
- Changes to election dates and procedures in 2020
- Initial stay-at-home orders
- Executive orders
- Coronavirus-related legislation in 2020
- Changes to the state's 2020 legislative session
- Court closures
- The release of inmates
- Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies
Additionally, the article includes:
- Arguments related to the state's response to the coronavirus
- Individual industries and activities from May 15 through July 31
- The state's initial plan to reopen from March and April 2020 closures
- Coronavirus resources relevant to the state.
To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.
Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19
General election changes
Oklahoma modified its absentee/mail-in voting procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:
- Absentee/mail-in voting: Voters casting absentee ballots could submit copies of their identification in lieu of fulfilling the notarization requirement in the event of a state of emergency occurring within 45 days of an election. Individuals experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, and individuals classified as vulnerable to infection, could cast an absentee ballot under the 'physical incapacitation' eligibility criterion.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Primary election changes
Oklahoma modified its primary election process as follows:
- Voting procedures: Voters casting absentee ballots may submit copies of their identification in lieu of fulfilling the notarization requirement in the event of a state of emergency occurring within 45 days of an election. Individuals experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, and individuals classified as vulnerable to infection, may cast an absentee ballot under the 'physical incapacitation' eligibility criterion.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.
Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4
On April 1, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issued Executive Order 2020-07, which directed individuals over the age of 65 and those with underlying medical conditions in Oklahoma to stay home except for essential activities and closed nonessential businesses in the state.[8] The stay-at-home order took effect immediately and lasted until April 30.
Amended Executive Memorandum 2020-01 released on March 25 lists the industries considered essential in Oklahoma. That memo is embedded below.
Executive orders, March 30 through June 29
- State of Emergency declared
- Executive Order 2020-06 All State Agencies to Take Necessary Steps to Protect Vulnerable Populations
- Amended Executive Order 2020-07 (State of Emergency Declaration)
- Executive Order 2020-08 Urging Oklahomans to Follow CDC Guidelines
- Third Amended Executive Order 2020-07 Amended to Allow Labs at Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma to Conduct COVID-19 testing.
- Fourth Amended Executive Order 2020-07 Amended to Issue Statewide “Safer at Home” for Certain Citizens; Limits Gatherings; Postpones Elective Surgeries; Closes Some Businesses
- Fifth Amended Executive Order 2020-07 Places Moratorium on all Out-of-State Travel paid for by the State and Temporarily Relaxes Peace Officer and CLEET Certification Requirements
- Sixth Amended Executive Order 2020-07 Requires Travelers from Six States to Self-Quarantine; Requires Certain Personnel to Submit to Screenings; Protects Health Care Workers from Housing and Childcare Discrimination
- Seventh Amended Executive Order 2020-07 Closing All Non-Essential Businesses; Extending Order to all Counties
- Eighth Amended Executive Order 2020-07 Ensuring Support Staff of Public Schools can be Paid for the Remainder of their Current Contract
- Executive Order 2020-12 Declaring a State Health Emergency
- Executive Order 2020-13 Ensuring First Responders will Receive Guaranteed Paid Time Off if They Contract COVID-19
- Executive Memorandum 2020-02 Elective Surgery Acuity Scale
- Second Amended Executive Order 2020-13 Amended to Set Guidelines for Medical Providers to Determine Elective Surgeries
Court closures, March 17 through November 4
- March 16, 2020: The Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered that all district courts in the state should cancel jury trials for 30 days.[9]
Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1
Governor Kevin Stitt (R) called the Oklahoma State Legislature into a special session scheduled to convene on April 6, 2020. The legislature had previously suspended its session, effective March 23, 2020, through April 3, 2020. That suspension was originally scheduled to continue through March 27, 2020. On May 4, 2020, the legislature reconvened its regular session. It adjourned on May 22, 2020.[10][11][12][13]
Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19
See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in Oklahoma. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24
- As of April 6, 2020, Oklahoma had not implemented any policies related to evictions or foreclosures in response to the coronavirus.[14]
Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1
- April 13, 2020: Gov. Kevin Stitt approved the release of 400 inmates to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Oklahoma prisons.[15] Oklahoma County Jail made the decision to release vulnerable inmates on the local level.[16]
Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Oklahoma in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.
- Debate over the stay-at-home order
- Debate over protests
- Debate over the reopening plan
- Debate over school closures
- Debate over religious service restrictions
- Debate over election policy
Status of industries, May 15 through July 31
Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.
- "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
- Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
- A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.
Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures
Oklahoma released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on April 22, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on July 1. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.
Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) and his Bounce Back Advisory Group announced Oklahoma's Open Up and Recover Safely plan on April 22. The first phase of the plan began on April 24, allowing personal care businesses (like salons and barbershops), state parks, and outdoor recreation to reopen. Oklahoma was the fourth state to begin reopening. The state entered the final stage of the plan on June 1.
According to the health order implementing the reopening guidelines, local governments are allowed to enforce stricter regulations.
In a press release announcing the plan, Stitt said, “From the beginning it has been my intent to protect the health and lives of Oklahomans, especially our vulnerable populations, and mitigate the impact to Oklahoma’s economy and get Oklahomans safely back to work. We have put together a group of industry professionals from across our state, and they have been working with my Governor’s Solution Task Force and our health advisors to develop a way to get back open safely. As we begin to responsibly implement this measured response, we will continue to prioritize the safety of Oklahomans and base all decisions on the data in our state.”
The state’s reopening was contingent on the following prerequisites:
- [t]hat Oklahoma COVID-19 hospitalizations and incidents are at a manageable level,
- that hospitals are treating all patients without alternate care sites,
- that there is sufficient testing material in the state and ability to conduct contact tracing, and
- that the state can quickly and independently supply sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and critical medical equipment, including ICU equipment, to handle a surge
Context
- Oklahoma’s statewide stay-at-home order took effect on April 1 and expired on May 6, making the state the 16th to lift a stay-at-home order.
- As of June 30, there had been 13,757 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma and 387 confirmed deaths. A total of 348,350 tests had been administered, amounting to a positive test rate of 3.9 percent. As of July 2019, Oklahoma’s estimated population was four million. Per 100,000 residents, there have been 343.9 confirmed positives, 9.7 confirmed deaths, and 8,708.8 total tests.
- Oklahoma is a Republican trifecta, with a Republican governor and Republican majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.
Plan details
General guidance
Oklahoma's reopening plan encouraged individuals to do the following:
- Continue to adhere to State and local guidance as well as complementary CDC guidance regarding social distancing
- Wash hands with soap and water
- Avoid touching the face
- Disinfect frequently-used items and surfaces as much as possible
- Consider using face coverings while in public and using mass transit
- Stay home and contact their doctor if they are feeling sick
The plan encouraged businesses to consider:
- Developing policies for temperature checks, sanitation, use and disinfection of common areas, and business travel;
- Monitoring workforce for indicative symptoms; not allowing symptomatic people to physically return to work and consider implementing flexible sick leave and supportive policies and practices;
- Developing and implementing policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following employee COVID-19 testing; and
- [I]mplementing appropriate policies regarding social distancing and PPE
Phase 1 (April 24 - May 14)
Individual recommendations
- Continue following safer-at-home guidelines if they are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population.
- Maximize social distance from others when in public (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas).
- Avoid socializing in groups or facilities that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing.
- Minimize non-essential travel iv and adhere to CDC guidelines and Executive Orders regarding isolation following travel.
Business recommendations
- General guidelines for businesses included:
- Create plans to allow employees to return to work in phases.
- Close common areas or enforce social distancing protocols.
- Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines and Executive Orders regarding isolation following travel.
- Honor requests of personnel who are members of a vulnerable population for special accommodations.
- On April 24, the following businesses and activities could begin reopening:
- Personal care businesses, including salons, barbershops, spas, and pet groomers (appointment only)
- State parks and outdoor recreation
- On May 1, the following businesses and activities could begin reopening:
- Dining, entertainment, movie theatres, and sporting venues
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Places of worship
- Tattoo parlors (appointment only)
Phase 2 (May 15 - May 31)
Individual recommendations
- Continue following safer-at-home guidelines if they are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population.
- Maintain social distancing from others when in public.
- Avoid socializing in groups that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing.
- Consider resuming non-essential travel.
Business recommendations
- General guidelines
- Close common areas or enforce social distancing and sanitation protocols.
- Honor requests of personnel who are members of a vulnerable population for special accommodations.
- Employers are recommended to implement social distancing protocols, which include proper sanitation and the use of protective equipment when interacting with the public.
- Phase 2 allowed the following businesses and activities to begin reopening:
- Organized sports activities
- Limited hospital visitation
- Bars
- Funerals and weddings
- Nursery areas in places of worship
(started June 1)
Individual recommendations
- Citizens should minimize time spent in crowded environments and continue following CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.
- If you are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population, continue following safer-at-home policies.
- Visitation to hospitals is allowed within the guidelines provided in the OURS plan.
- Visitation to senior care facilities, except for end-of-life situations, will be prohibited until affirmatively lifted by Executive Order.
Business recommendations
- General guidelines
- Businesses can resume unrestricted staffing at their worksites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.
- Suggested guidelines regarding the use of masks and other personal protective equipment can be found on the CDC website along with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce website.
- Businesses operating by appointment only may begin operating by appointment and walk-in at their discretion.
- Phase 3 allowed the following businesses and activities to begin reopening:
- Church and school summer camps
Reactions
- Dr. George Monks, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said the plan would reopen the state too quickly. In an editorial posted on April 24, Monks said, “Even without widespread testing, Oklahoma has seen an ongoing growth in the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the past week alone. According to the Trump administration, states should not begin this process until they’ve seen a two-week downward trajectory in COVID-19 cases, and we are far from this point.”
- Chad Warmington, president and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma, said he supported the state moving into Phase 2 of the reopening plan. In an article published on May 14, he said, “The sacrifices made by all Oklahomans over the past few weeks have paid off. Now it is time to resume living our lives with an appropriate emphasis on social distancing and personal hygiene. Oklahoma’s economy can’t recover if we don’t all actively participate in it.”
Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.
State resources
Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.
Federal resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Education
- World Health Organization
See also
- Documenting America's Path to Recovery
- Oklahoma’s path to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic
- School responses in Oklahoma to the coronavirus pandemic
- School responses to the coronavirus pandemic by state
- COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state
- Travel restrictions by state
- Federal government responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Footnotes
- ↑ KOCO News 5, "Renewing COVID-19 state of emergency, Stitt allows absentee votes without notarization for November election," August 28, 2020
- ↑ Office of the Governor of Oklahoma, "Fourth Amended Executive Order 2020-20," August 28, 2020
- ↑ Oklahoma State Legislature, "Bill Information for SB 210," accessed May 8, 2020
- ↑ KOCO News 5 ABC, "Gov. Stitt signs bill reinstating requirement that absentee ballots be notarized with exceptions amid pandemic," May 7, 2020
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "New COVID-19 Criteria Qualify As 'Physically Incapacitated' Voter for Absentee Voting," accessed June 15, 2020
- ↑ Oklahoma Supreme Court, "League of Women Voters of Oklahoma v. Ziriax: Order," May 4, 2020
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Oklahoma elections secretary: Localities can reschedule April 7 elections," March 18, 2020
- ↑ Governor of Oklahoma, "Executive Order 2020-07," accessed April 2, 2020
- ↑ Oklahoma's News 4, "Oklahoma Supreme Court issues order regarding COVID-19," March 17, 2020
- ↑ Fox News 23, "Oklahoma Legislature closes, coronavirus increases in state," March 20, 2020
- ↑ KOSU, "Oklahoma Capitol Remains Empty Of Legislators During COVID-19 Crisis," March 30, 2020
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Legislature convenes," April 6, 2020
- ↑ McAlester News-Capital, "State Capitol to reopen to public on Monday," May 2, 2020
- ↑ Million Acres, "Cities and States That Have Paused Evictions Due to COVID-19," April, 3, 2020
- ↑ KOCO News 5, "Pardon and Parole Board considering more inmate commutations to fight spread of coronavirus," April 13, 2020
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Over 200 nonviolent offenders released from Oklahoma County jail to limit COVID-19 spread," March 25, 2020
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