Friends,

We wanted to provide you with the most up to date information regarding the actions Governor Stitt is taking to protect Oklahomans and small businesses. Here is a list of some of the recent major actions.

For accurate information and updates as this evolves, please visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health website at coronavirus.health.ok.gov. For questions, please call the OSDH Coronavirus Call Center at 1-877-215-8336.

COVID-19 testing:

• Filed an executive order on March 22 to allow the labs at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma to perform COVID-19 testing, tripling the State’s testing capacity once the labs are able to fully come online with resources.
• Entered into a public-private partnership with Diagnostic Laboratories of Oklahoma (DLO) as of March 20 to expand COVID-19 testing capacity.
• Implemented statewide reporting requirements to collect transparent data of hospitals’ bed capacity, equipment supplies, and COVID-19 testing capacity. Data will be published regularly in the coming days through the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

Small Business Disaster Loans

• The U.S. Small Business Administration approved Governor Stitt’s request for disaster loans for small businesses across all 77 counties who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • As Governor Stitt said Friday, “These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.” 
  • Businesses and nonprofit groups can apply for up to $2 million in loans through the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.
  • Information for loan applications can be found at www.sba.gov/disaster. 

Public Health:

• Transformed the State’s 2-1-1 hotline into a tool for Oklahomans to call and receive screening public health support for COVID-19.
• Suspended several regulations on telemedicine to ease capabilities for Oklahomans to receive medical support from a doctor without leaving home.
• Established expedited process for nurses with inactive licenses to get recertified.
• Suspended various regulations on truck drivers and commercial vehicles for transporting medical supplies and other critical items across state lines.
• Temporarily extending licensing reciprocity for health care professionals, like doctors and nurses, who hold licenses to practice in other states. 

Workforce:

• Deferred state income tax payments until July 15 without late fees or interest
• Suspended the one-week waiting period before unemployment benefits can be paid.
• Received approval for State of Oklahoma’s request on March 17 for disaster loans for small businesses across all 77 counties who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and nonprofit groups can apply for up to $2 million in loans through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
• Extended expiration dates for all occupational licenses issued by any State agency, board or commission during the Declared State of Emergency period.
• Established stronger guidelines for Child Care facilities to prevent and/or respond to a COVID-19 positive case.

State Government:

• Declared a State of Emergency allowing State Agencies to access all needed resources to proactively and aggressively respond to COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of the public. 
• Implemented a telework policy for state employees and banning out-of-state business travel for employees

Common Education – as directed by the State Superintendent, SDE Board:

• Closed all accredited PreK-12^th grade public schools for students and educators until April 6, as directed by the State Superintendent and SDE Board
• Suspended academic assessments for grades 3-8 or to high school juniors and suspended th Oklahoma School Report Cards for the 2019-2020 school year, as requested by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and approved by the U.S. Department of Education on March 20.

Public Safety:

• Expiration on driver’s licenses issued by the State of Oklahoma are delayed until further notified.

Statewide:

• Issued statewide Executive Order advising Oklahomans to:
  • Avoid groups of 10 or more people
  • Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts. Instead use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options
  • Avoid discretionary travel, social visits, and shopping trips
  • Do not visit nursing homes, retirement or long-term care facilities

--Team Stitt