Oklahoma to begin "Bounce Back Plan" from COVID-19 on April 24

The Oklahoma Bounce Back Plan has been unveiled by Governor Stitt's Office today, April 22, and sent out to government entities to detail the State of Oklahoma's plan to move forward from the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic that began in early March.

Oklahoma will begin implementing a three-phased approach to open Oklahoma’s economy back up starting April 24, 2020. This statewide plan is:

1. Based on scientific modeling from public health experts

2. Intended to mitigate risk of resurgence

3. Intended to protect Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens from the threat of COVID-19
4. Intended for businesses and individuals to utilize in conjunction with guidance from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma State Health Department, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Before proceeding to a new phase, the Secretary of Health and Mental Health will confirm:

• That Oklahoma COVID-19 hospitalizations and incidents are at a manageable level

• that hospitals are treating all patients without alternate care sites,
• that there is sufficient testing material in the state and ability to conduct contact tracing, and

• that the state can quickly and independently supply sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and critical medical equipment, including ICU equipment, to handle a surge

Further, the state of Oklahoma must address the following core responsibilities before proceeding to Phase 1:

• Ensure the ability to quickly set up safe and efficient testing for symptomatic individuals

• Provide guidance intended to protect the health and safety of workers in critical industries

Employers should:

Develop temperature checks, sanitation, use and disinfection of common areas, and business travel

Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms; do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work and consider implementing flexible sick leave and supportive policies and practices.

Develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following employee COVID-19 testing and implement appropriate policies regarding social distancing and PPE,

Advise citizens regarding protocols for social distancing and face coverings

In addition to CDC guidelines, “Oklahoma’s Strict Social Distancing Protocols” include:

-Use of protective equipment such as masks and gloves for employees who interact with other employees or the public

-6 feet separation between employees, customers and visitors

-Documented employee temperature testing

-Regular sanitation of all frequently-used surfaces

Individuals should:
-Continue to adhere to State and local guidance as well as complementary CDC guidance

-Wash hands with soap and water

-Avoid touching the face

-Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible

-Consider using face coverings while in public and when using mass transit

-Stay home and contact their doctor if they are feeling sick

-Monitor conditions to limit and mitigate any rebounds or outbreaks

If Hospital & incident rates remain at a manageable level for 14 days, The State of Oklahoma will move to Phase 1.

Phase 1

Individuals should:

• Continue following safer-at-home guidelines if they are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population

• Maximize physical distance from others when in public (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas)

• Avoid socializing in groups or facilities that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing

• Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines and Executive Orders regarding isolation following travel

Employers should:

• Create plans to allow employees to return to work in phases

• Close common areas or enforce strict social distancing protocols

• Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines and Executive Orders regarding isolation following travel

• Honor requests of personnel who are members of a vulnerable population for special accommodations

Specific Employer guidance:

• Schools and organized sporting events and camps that are currently closed should remain closed until further notice

• Visits to Senior Living Facilities and Hospitals are prohibited

April 24, 2020, the following businesses can reopen:

• Personal care businesses, such as hair salons, barbershops, spas, nail salons, and pet groomers can reopen for appointments only and must adhere to sanitation protocols and strict social distancing protocols for distancing between customers and visitors.

• State parks, outdoor recreation and playgrounds should be re-opened

• Grocery stores should continue to maintain hours for vulnerable populations

May 1, 2020, the following businesses can open:

• Tattoo Parlors can reopen for appointments only and must adhere to sanitation protocols and strict social distancing protocols for distancing between customers and visitors.

• Dining, entertainment and sporting venues can operate under strict social distancing protocols.

• Gyms can reopen if they adhere to strict social distancing protocols

• Places of worship can reopen for in-person meetings or worship if they adhere to the Oklahoma strict social distancing protocols as defined above, plus:

-33% capacity restriction

-Staff and volunteers wearing masks when interacting with the public

-Abstaining from serving food or coffee

-Sanitization between services

-Making masks available to attendees

-Closing the children’s area

-Bars should remain closed

If Hospital & incident rates remain at a manageable level for 14 days, The State of Oklahoma will move to Phase 2

Phase 2
Goal of May 15, 2020 (subject to all Phase 1 guidelines being met)

Once hospital and incident rates remain flat statewide for 14 more days, the following phase will apply:

Individuals should:

• Continue following safer-at-home guidelines if they are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population

• Maximize physical distance from others when in public

• Avoid socializing in groups that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing

• Consider resuming non-essential travel

Employers should:

• Close common areas or enforce strict social distancing protocols

• Honor requests of personnel who are members of a vulnerable population for special accommodations

• In addition to CDC guidelines, employers will need to implement Oklahoma Moderate Social Distancing Protocols, which include proper sanitation and use of protective equipment when interacting with the public.

Specific Employer guidance:

• Organized sports activities can reopen

• Visits to Senior Care Facilities and Hospitals should still be prohibited

• Movie theatres and indoor recreational facilities can operate under Moderate Social Distancing Protocols

• Bars can operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate

• Funerals and weddings can resume under Moderate Social Distancing Protocols

• Children’s areas in places of worship can reopen

If Hospital & incident rates remain at a manageable level for 14 days, The State of Oklahoma will move to Phase 3

Phase 3

Goal of June 1, 2020 (Subject to all guidelines being met)

Once hospital and incident rates remain flat statewide for 14 more days Phase 3 will apply, which will allow for further public interaction.

Details for Phase 3 will be provided once the state enters Phase 2.