Oklahoma City Council approves mandatory mask ordinance

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma City, city leaders held a special council meeting to vote on a mandatory mask ordinance.

Under the ordinance, most citizens in Oklahoma City would be required to wear a mask while inside public buildings, with a few exceptions.

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Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt called the special meeting and voted for the measure.

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After more than five hours of discussion and public comments, the Oklahoma City Council approved the ordinance in a vote of 6-3.

Exceptions to face-covering requirements are:

• Children age 10 and under, unless required by a school or daycare.
• People working in an office who don’t have face-to-face interactions with the public.
• Patrons of restaurants, bars and similar establishments while eating or drinking.
• People in settings where it isn’t practical or feasible to wear a face covering, like receiving dental services, swimming or playing at a sprayground.
• People engaged in sports (including for recreation).
• People engaged in cardio exercises. But people should make reasonable efforts to observe social distancing between groups of people from different households.
• People inside any federal, state or county building or facility.
• People inside a public or private school building or facility, unless required by the school.
• People at a religious service or ceremony where social distancing is observed between groups of people from different households.
• People with a developmental disability.
• People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

People who refuse to wear a mask or leave would be subject to a fine of $9 on a conviction for a first or second offense. The fine would rise to a maximum of $100 for third and subsequent offenses.

If a medical condition prevents someone from safely wearing a mask they can produce a document from their physician confirming that information, and will not be subject to a conviction and fine.

The ordinance goes into effect immediately and lasts until Sept. 8.