Tulsa Mayor, City Working On Face Mask Ordinance Proposal

Tulsans could be required to wear a mask starting next week if the city council approves a mask ordinance proposal.

Mayor Bynum said the Tulsa Health Department is recommending everyone wear a mask in public because of the recent increases in COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 

Mayor Bynum said his office and the city's legal department are still drafting the ordinance and how the requirement will be enforced if city council approved it next Wednesday. 

News On 6 spoke with people at an Affair of the Heart at Expo Square to see what they think about the possible mask requirement.

"As long as I want to wear one to guard myself. If someone else doesn't want to wear one I say maybe they just do whatever they want to," said Marguerite Hinesley. 

"We haven't been going out that much. We've just been getting our food to-go from restaurants, and it probably wouldn't be much different for me," said Sandy Blevins.

"I think that's the only way that we can convince people by putting a mask mandate in that they need to take it seriously and not just put all that responsibility on the local law enforcement to be issuing citations," said Mayor G.T. Bynum. 

Friday, Mayor G.T. Bynum said in a post on social media the city's legal department is drafting a mask ordinance that will be voted on by city council.

He said the recent increase of positive COVID-19 cases is why the health department is recommending masks no longer be optional. 

"We're seeing too great a rate of transmission. We have to ensure that our community is safe and our health care system is not overwhelmed and we've got to do something more aggressively to break that chain of transmission," said Dr. Bruce Dart. ​

Mayor Bynum said earlier in the week if there is a mask requirement in Tulsa, he will look at other cities for advice and how it's enforced.