Masks Now Required in the City of Tulsa

On June 8, Tulsa County had 15 COVID-19 patients in area hospitals. By July 8, Tulsa County had more than 100.
For that reason, Dr. Bruce Dart of the Tulsa Health Department made the recommendation to me that masks be mandatory to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in Tulsa. So on July 10, the city legal and health departments and I started working on a mandatory ordinance to send to the Tulsa City Council. On July 16, the council passed an amended version of that ordinance, which I signed the next day.
Masks are now required for anyone entering places of business, other indoor facilities, and in situations where a physical distance of six feet cannot be followed.
As we have said from the beginning of this pandemic, masks aren’t meant to protect the wearer, rather to protect others from the wearer’s respiratory droplets from when they talk, cough and sneeze. We did this because we want to make sure our healthcare system can handle the potential influx of COVID-19 patients. No one in Tulsa should have to forego care because we simply don’t have enough beds for them.
With that said, there are exemptions to the mask ordinance. For one, those under the age of 18 aren’t legally required to wear a mask when they are out in public.
Other exemptions include:
Those who fall into the CDC’s guidance for those who should not wear face coverings due to a medical or mental health condition or developmental disability.
Those who are eating or drinking.
Those who are exercising in communal outdoor spaces, or persons walking or exercising with other persons from the same household in communal outdoor spaces, as long as physical distancing is maintained – those who are congregating in communal outdoor spaces with other persons not in their same household are required to wear face coverings when physical distancing is not maintained.
Those in settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering, such as dental services, medical treatments or while swimming.
Occupants in a personal vehicle, personal office, or similarly private space while other persons outside of the person’s household are not present.
Those in their private homes.
Those in offices and workplaces that are not public service areas where physical distancing between employees and other occupants can be consistently maintained during hours of operation.
The ordinance will expire on Nov. 30, when the expiration of all of my Civil Emergency Orders related to COVID-19 expire, or when City Council repeals, modifies or extends this ordinance, whichever comes sooner. 
Please continue to wash your hands, keep your distance and mind the Serious Seven, which is guidance related to hotspots where the virus can transmit more easily. These places, which you should either avoid or ensure masks are being worn, include restaurants, bars, gyms, faith-based venues, daycares, weddings and funerals.
For more information about masks in Tulsa and to find a few posters and flyers that your business can use to put in your windows and on your doors if you choose, visit cityoftulsa.org/masks.