Mayor Holt held a press conference on July 1, 2020, to discuss the situation in Oklahoma City and the actions to be taken to address the rise in COVID-19 cases. He issued a Proclamation July 2. The rules go into effect Friday, July 3 and will last for two weeks, or until Friday, July 17. They include the following:
- All on-premises staff in restaurants, breweries, wineries, taverns, shopping mall food courts, food halls, cafeterias, bars, night clubs, and any other food service must wear facial masks or coverings while on duty.
- All breweries, wineries, bars, including taverns, night clubs, and other similar drinking establishments designated as TYPE I facilities by the ABLE Commission shall be reduced to 50% of the listed occupancy load determined by the Oklahoma City Fire Marshal.
- Businesses with theater-style seating where persons gather for presentation or entertainment shall offer seating in a staggered manner so that customer groups are socially distanced. These businesses include, but are not limited to, movie and live theaters, concert halls, sporting venues, amusement parks, places of worship, wedding venues, event venues, and funeral homes.
- If an employee chooses to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) due to potential hazards then, per OSHA requirements, the business must assess the occupational hazards and should allow the employee to wear PPE while on duty so long as it does not interfere with the essential functions of the job.
Mayor Holt encouraged Oklahoma City residents to wear a mask or cloth covering across their mouth and nose when in an indoor public place and less than six feet away from people not of their household or family. He also reinforced the right of businesses and property owners to have and enforce policies requiring persons to wear masks, and to refuse service to those who do not do so. Finally, Mayor Holt indicated he would be working with other officials concerning the possible adoption of ordinances – as opposed to proclamations – to address the ongoing public health crisis.
By Kristen L. Brightmire, kbrightmire@dsda.com