Councilmen Stone, Stonecipher propose early expiration of Oklahoma City mask ordinance
03/24/2021
Ward 4 Councilman Todd Stone and Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher will jointly propose an ordinance amendment that, if approved, would allow Oklahoma City's mask ordinance to expire early on March 31.
The Councilmen cited dramatically improved COVID-19 data in announcing their joint proposal. Hospitalizations and new cases are about half of what they were when the mask ordinance was originally adopted in July. Test positivity rates have been below 5% for the last two weeks.
The City Council will consider the proposed early expiration at its next meeting on Tuesday. It needs 7 of 9 votes to win approval, according to state law and the City Charter. Otherwise, the mask ordinance will expire as scheduled April 30.
Visit okc.gov/agenda for City of OKC meeting agendas.
Oklahoma City's mask ordinance requires face coverings in buildings open to the public.
“The citizens of Oklahoma City all deserve a pat on the back,” said Councilman Stone.
“Because of their vigilance in complying with health recommendations, as well as the work of our health community and their partners in getting the vaccine distributed, we have now seen a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases in our great city,” said Councilman Stonecipher. “This proposal to end the ordinance is being guided by the decrease in infections we have seen. “When we put the original mask mandate in place, we did so because test positivity was over 5%. We have now been below that for two weeks, and we are down to 10 cases per 100,000 people. While people and businesses are certainly free to continue their own safety practices, including wearing or requiring masks, we are to a point where a governmental mask mandate is no longer necessary. I will still encourage folks to practice good hygiene by washing their hands regularly, wearing masks where appropriate, and practicing social distancing," concluded Councilman Stonecipher.
“I have never been a fan of the mask ordinance,” added Councilman Stone. “But I have stood by the rest of the Council once a majority had voted to implement and extend it. I have always supported the emergency clause so the will of the council could take effect immediately. My hope is that the rest of the Council will follow our lead and will join with the majority to pass the emergency clause."
"It is important to our local economy that we allow for more robust economic activity and that we don’t lose ground to our neighbors who are also loosening their restrictions,” said Councilman Stonecipher.
Visit covid19.okc.gov for more on the coronavirus in Oklahoma City.
Media Contact: Kristy Yager, (405) 297-2550, kristy.yager@okc.gov
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City Hall, 200 N Walker, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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