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.
Employer guidance:
Summer camps (church and school) can open.
Businesses can resume unrestricted staffing at their work sites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.
Suggested guidelines regarding 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.
Specific employer guidance:
Visits to senior care facilities should still be prohibited until the task force completes cleaning and testing protocols across the state. When this is completed, it will be posted on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Department of Health websites.
Visits to hospitals shall be subject to the following limitations:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, health care facilities (hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient diagnostic centers, and clinics) are uniquely charged with protecting both the health of those they serve and the health of their caregivers. As an essential part of the front line to stopping the community spread of COVID-19, health care facilities should maintain compliance with current CDC guidelines regarding limiting visitation to their facilities through the establishment of policies that limit the number of people who may access their facility.
Depending upon the prevalence of community spread and number of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the facility, in consultation with medical staff, the facility shall determine the visitation policies. If determined that it is safe for the patient and the staff, the following visitation will be allowed in phases 2 and 3 of the OURS plan:
Each patient may be permitted one adult patient representative to support and assist the patient with receipt of care. The patient representative should be the same throughout the admission or visit.
a. Additional patient representatives may be permitted if exceptional circumstances warrant consideration and in compliance with facility policy.
b. Patient representatives shall be subject to any screening procedures required by the facility including temperature screenings, observance of hand hygiene practices, and the wearing of their own mask at all times while in the facility.
2. The facility may further limit access to patients when patient representatives fail to follow facility policy.
3. Social distancing is required at all times.
While the data continues to improve on a statewide level, local governments are encouraged to make decisions that best fit their communities, Stitt said.
“Our measured approach to reopening has been a key reason why our data remains trending in a positive direction,” said Secretary of Health Jerome Loughridge. “It is vital that communities across the state only move to phase 3 when their local data supports that decision. The OSDH and the Governor’s Solution Task Force are available to consult any local officials on the best practices for their specific areas.”
Free COVID-19 testing remains available to all Oklahomans at more than 80 locations across the state. Click here to see where to get tested.
“As we enter phase 3 of reopening, the Oklahoma State Department of Health will be focused on maintaining and expanding trusted partnerships with the public to help us minimize the presence of COVID-19,” said interim Commissioner of Health Lance Frye. “We remind Oklahomans they do not need to be experiencing symptoms to get tested for COVID-19 at our more than 80 county facilities. We also encourage Oklahomans to take calls from, and stay in communication with, our growing contact tracing team, which will be a powerful tool in ensuring we can protect public health and the state’s economy as we recover.”
The Catastrophic Health Emergency declaration will end Saturday, at which time Stitt will issue a new executive order keeping critical protections in place to allow state agencies to effectively manage the continued impact of COVID-19, according to Stitt’s office.
The new executive order will encourage elderly and vulnerable Oklahomans to remain safer at home.
Industry-specific guidelines for safely reopening are available on the Department of Commerce website.
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