EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-7
On March 15, 2020, the eighth case of a novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), was confirmed in the State of Oklahoma. As noted in a previous Executive Order, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 as "high" both globally and in the United States. In addition, on March 14, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national health emergency in the United States as a result of the national spread of COVID-19.
While impact in Oklahoma has continued to be relatively minimal to date, it is increasingly important for Oklahoma to be ready for this threat. Therefore, I believe, after consultation with numerous health experts within my administration, it is now necessary to provide for the rendering of mutual assistance among the State and political subdivisions of the State and to cooperate with the Federal government with respect to carrying out emergency functions during the continuance of the State emergency pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003.
Therefore, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, pursuant to the power vested in me by Section 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, hereby declare and order the following:
1. There is hereby declared an emergency caused by the impending threat of COVID-19 to the people of this State and the public's peace, health, and safety. The counties included in this declaration are:All 77 Oklahoma Counties
2. The State Emergency Operations Plan has been activated, and resources of all State departments and agencies available to meet this emergency are hereby committed to the reasonable extent necessary to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of the public. These efforts shall be coordinated by the Director of the Department of Emergency Management with comparable functions of the federal government and political subdivisions of the State.3. State agencies, in responding to this emergency, may make necessary emergency acquisitions to fulfill the purposes of this declaration without regard to limitations or bidding requirements on such acquisitions to include the use of the state purchase card. Such necessary emergency purchases shall be capped at $250,000.00 per transaction. All such purchases must be readily identifiable as such, as following the conclusion of this threat, all such necessary emergency acquisitions will be audited to determine if they were made for emergency purposes.4. State agencies, in responding to this emergency, may employ additional staff without regard to the classification requirements of such employment.5. State agencies shall continue to follow guidance for interaction with the public provided by the Oklahoma Department of Health. In addition, I direct all state agencies as follows:
1. Transmit a clear delegation of authority for state agency directors and designate an Emergency Management Liaison by 5:00 p.m. on March 16, 2020;2. Establish and, if necessary, implement a remote work policy that balances the safety and welfare of state employees with the critical services they provide; 3. Encourage Oklahomans interacting with agency services to utilize online options whenever possible; 4. Ensure continued compliance with Executive Order 2019-13, which limits non-essential out-of-state travel. 5. Promulgate any emergency rules necessary to respond to the emergency and to comply with the directives contained herein. This Order shall be effective until the end of thirty (30) days after the filing of this Order.
Copies of this Executive Order shall be distributed to the Director of Emergency Management, the Oklahoma State Health Commissioner, and the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services who shall cause the provisions of this Order to be implemented by all appropriate agencies of State government.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, this 15 th day of March, 2020.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. Kevin Stitt
ATTEST:
Michael Rogers
Secretary of State
Okla. Admin. Code § 1:2020-7
Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 37, Issue 15, April 15, 2020, eff. 3/15/2020