City, Health Department May Recommend Mandating Masks For Tulsa County

Tulsa County's top health official said he may recommend mandating masks if COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Dr. Bruce Dart said he will there has been nearly 500 cases over the past couple of days in the county, and he expects the numbers to rise.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said the biggest hurdle for implementing a mask order will be how the city enforces it and what exemptions will be made.

Bynum said the the city and health department's legal teams are evaluating other mask ordinances around the country to consider options for dealing with the issue if it comes to that point.

"When we put that kind of mandate in place, we will be putting it there because we had no other choice but to do that, to protect their ability, and to get medical care over the long term of this pandemic," Bynum said.

Bynum said hospital capacity remains strong.