Northeast Oklahoma cities lining up behind governor's reopening plan

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (KTUL) – While we await Tulsa's next steps in dealing with the coronavirus, smaller cities around Green Country have started lining up behind the governor’s plan for reopening businesses and easing restrictions.

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday announced a three-phase plan to get the state’s economic engine restarted, with some businesses allowed to open as soon as Friday.

Cities are allowed to put stricter orders in place to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.

But since the governor’s announcement, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Claremore, Coweta and Glenpool have all announced they’ll follow the state’s lead.

“It is not our intention to be more restrictive or less restrictive than Oklahoma’s guidelines,” Claremore City Manager Jim Thomas said in a news release.

Personal care businesses will be able to reopen for appointments Friday only if they “adhere to strict sanitation protocols,” Stitt announced Wednesday.

Such businesses include hair salons, nail salons and pet groomers.

State parks and outdoor recreation areas can also be reopened during the first part of the first phase.

Phase I of the state’s plan is broken into two parts, which take effect this Friday and then beginning May 1.

Generally, these cities have announced they’re simply mirroring the state’s plan. But there are a couple differences:

Glenpool announced the use of any playground equipment within city parks is prohibited.

Sand Springs’ news release included this line: “One significant deviation from the (states’) plan includes maintaining the existing public health guidelines for City of Sand Springs Parks and facilities (including the Case Community Center), which remain unchanged until further notice.”

If infection rates and hospitalizations keep trending in the right direction, then the following businesses can open at the first of May:

• restaurant dining rooms

• churches

• gyms

• movie theaters

Once again, the governor said these businesses must take steps that ensure sanitation and social distancing practices are followed.

Churches, for example, must leave every other row or pew open, keep nursery areas closed, staff must wear masks, and churches can’t serve refreshments.

Tulsa hasn’t announced how or when it will allow certain businesses to reopen.

Mayor G.T. Bynum took to social media after the governor’s announcement to remind people that his stay-at-home order remains in effect through the end of April.

Bynum also said he plans to speak publicly Friday on Tulsa’s “path forward.”

“I appreciate Governor Stitt announcing his plan for Oklahoma today,” Bynum wrote on Facebook “I am working with both the Tulsa Health Department and the State Department of Health to assess the latest trend data that would indicate when we can safely begin such a process in Tulsa.”

Phase 2 of the state’s plan can begin May 15 if the coronavirus remains at a manageable level.

Oklahomans can consider resuming nonessential travel during the second phase, the state said.

Organized sports activities can begin again.

Funerals and weddings can resume.

Children’s nursery areas in places of worship can reopen.

Bars can operate with diminished standing-room occupancy.

Once again, steps will need to be taken to ensure social distancing and sanitation.

If all is going well, Phase 3 can begin by the first of June.

Employers can resume unrestricted staffing of worksites, the state said.

Summer camps can begin.

Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals will remain prohibited throughout all three phases, as laid out in the state plan.