Gov. Stitt To End Gathering Restrictions, Mask Mandate In State Buildings

As COVID cases continue to decline, Governor Kevin Stitt said he's ending restrictions on gatherings across Oklahoma. He's also removing a mask requirement in state buildings.

This is all part of a new executive order that will go into effect on Friday. The governor said he wants to "get our summer back."

On Thursday morning, Governor Stitt reflected on the past year of COVID-19 in Oklahoma and the anniversary of the Thunder game being postponed.

The governor said Oklahoma is in much better shape economically compared to other states since Oklahoma has mostly been open since last summer.

The state has the lowest unemployment rate in the region and a budget surplus.

Stitt also praised the state's vaccine rollout and said Oklahomans are learning to live with the virus.

He said the standard for normal cannot be zero cases. That's why he feels now is the time to end all restrictions on gatherings in Oklahoma and remove the current mask mandate for state buildings, although he encourages wearing them based on the circumstances.

"In Oklahoma the standard for normal is freedom,” said Stitt. “The freedom to worship, the freedom to go to work and earn a paycheck, the freedom to visit your loved ones in nursing homes, the freedom to send your kids to school in person."

This decision is getting pushback from some.

Dr. George Monks, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, released a statement:

“There is no doubt that the state has made tremendous progress and is one of the nation’s leaders in vaccination efforts. But letting up on our efforts to battle COVID now is like a football player spiking the ball at the five-yard line. We are nearing the goal, but we are not there yet. I applaud all of the municipalities who have kept their mask ordinances and other commonsense measures in place as we work toward protecting our population. I urge all Oklahomans to get vaccinated as soon as you are able. Additionally, it is vital that we continue to wear our masks, keep our distance and wash our hands. We are so close to the goal line—don’t let up now.”