Tahlequah is the first community in Oklahoma to enact a curfew to prevent spread of virus

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (KTUL) — There were small groups in Tahlequah on Wednesday, but never more than 10 people in one spot, just as the doctors and lawmakers have ordered.

But Mayor Sue Catron says more needed to be done.

"I was getting a lot of contacts from people who just wanted some additional action taken. They are concerned that people are not taking this seriously," Catron said.

That's why they are implementing a curfew that runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day.

Given the pain small businesses already feel, it was not a decision made lightly.

"It is so hard to make that decision. To weigh the economic health of our community against the physical health of our community, but ultimately the physical health has to win, but oh my heart bleeds for those being hurt," she said.

It's a drastic move, but one that Police Chief Nate King says is needed to finally get ahead of this thing.

"We're behind this. We've been behind this since it started overseas. The only thing we can do to prevent and reduce the effects of COVID-19 is to stay inside," King said.

Chief King says they will not be pulling over every car and handing out tickets, this is more to close down all businesses in that window, and go after those who are still gathering in groups.

"We hope we don't write one ticket. We hope we don't arrest one person for violating this executive order. We hope that the violations we see, we can talk to someone and they disperse, and we don't have any other problems out of them after that."

If someone continues to defy the order, they can face up to a $500 fine or ten days in jail, but they think most will obey the order.

"When someone is in need, the entire community comes together to save them," said King. "Right now, us coming together is actually staying apart. We need Green Country to stay apart."