Most Covid-19 measures now fall under governor’s OURS plan
The Bartlesville City Council on Monday approved a new City ordinance pertaining to Covid-19 mitigation measures that essentially drops most restrictions previously imposed by the City of Bartlesville and leaves most measures to fall under Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Open Up and Recover Safely Plan, which moved into Phase 3 on Monday.
City Ordinance #3528 repeals most measures outlined in previous City ordinances to allow the OURS plan to cover mitigation measures pertaining to business, restaurants and individual guidelines. Under the new ordinance, the following applies:
- Utility cutoffs are authorized to resume (payment may be arranged for customers who have past due balances that were incurred during the terms of the Covid-19 emergency measures)
- City meetings may be held via teleconference, videoconference, in-person or any combination of methods allowed under Senate Bill 661
- The city manager is authorized to close facilities and implement procedures as necessary to protect City employees and the public
- The ordinance includes continuation of the Economic Recovery Task Force established under previous ordinances and facilitated by the Bartlesville Development Authority (see story below).
The measures became effective at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 1, and will remain in effect until revoked.
OURS plan
The following measures are in effect for all of Oklahoma, per Gov. Stitt:
- 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
- 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.
For more specific information, see the OURS plan at https://www.okcommerce.gov/covid19/ and/or the governor’s most recent order, Executive Order No. 2020-20.