The Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
Situation Update
To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 743 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 603 residents have recovered and 37 have died. Test results are updated daily at www.tulsa-health.org/COVID19. For the most up-to-date news, information and business resources in Tulsa, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/COVID-19.
Civil Emergency Remains in Place | Phase 2 Begins Friday
As cases trend down, starting tomorrow, Tulsa will enter Phase 2 of the State’s Reopening Plan. Under the new Civil Emergency in Tulsa, groups of 50 or less (previously 10 through tonight) will be allowed to gather and the City will begin issuing special events permits for events with less than 50 people. The City will reassess special events on May 31. Those 65 years and older and those with underlying medical conditions should continue to stay home. The civil emergency order and more information can be found at: www.cityoftulsa.org/COVID-19.
Under Phase 2, bars will be allowed to open tomorrow, provided they resume operations with reduced capacity based on a 36 square feet per person (in the assembly/bar area) to ensure social distancing. Businesses needing help calculating their occupancy can contact firemarshal@cityoftulsa.org. Additionally, funerals and weddings can resume tomorrow with 50-person limits. For additional guidance, visit www.okcommerce.gov/ours-plan/.
Tulsa Municipal Courts To Open May 18
Tulsa Municipal Courts will reopen on Monday, May 18, at 8 a.m.
Courthouse guests will be limited, and Municipal Courts will have tables positioned at the Plaza Level on the building’s north side under an awning. Municipal Courts will be checking in guests and controlling the number of visitors entering the facility. Only defendants, their attorneys and interpreters (if necessary) are allowed in the courthouse. Visitors are required to wear a cloth face covering or mask when inside the courthouse. Visitors without cloth face covering or mask will be provided one.
Individuals will not be added to the docket until further notice. Visitors with questions should contact a courthouse staff member that will be located outside of the building who will assist. If individuals need documents from Court Records or have questions, they should call Municipal Courts at (918) 596-7801 or email at tulsamunicipalcourtclerk@cityoftulsa.org.
Tulsa Parks Updates
Starting tomorrow, sports groups will be allowed to practice on fields (complexes and open fields) with less than 25 people per field. Tulsa Parks is working with sports leagues to develop appropriate operating protocols.
Tulsa City Parks facilities still closed tomorrow include sports complexes for large organized sports, community centers, nature center buildings, Redbud trails, playgrounds, basketball courts, pools, splash pads, outdoor bathrooms, water faucets and shelter rentals.
Also, the Tulsa Zoo will be reopening June 1 with restrictions in place. For more details, visit www.tulsazoo.org.
Rockefeller Foundation Adds Tulsa to Testing Solutions Group
As the City of Tulsa moves into the next phase beginning tomorrow, achieving widespread COVID-19 testing requires combining data with local insights to determine where and how to reach all citizens.
Tulsa is joining the State of Oregon, Washington, DC. Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and Miami and other cities around the country and we all be exchanging best practices to safeguard public health.
“We are excited to join this national effort led by the Rockefeller Foundation to address a critical need in this pandemic,” Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “Testing, contact tracing and accurate data are crucial tools we need to bring to scale as we address, respond, and recover during this crisis. I look forward to working with colleagues from across the country to bring this National Action Plan to fruition.”
The Rockefeller Foundation’s Action Plan will provide pragmatic steps that cities and states can take to enact robust testing, tracing, and coordination as America safely reopens workplaces.
For more information, visit: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/the-rockefeller-foundation-adds-new-members-to-testing-solutions-group-to-expand-pandemic-testing-across-u-s/.
Tulsa County Update
After receiving CARES Act funding, the County now has a team dedicated to assessing and gathering all necessary information to be reviewed and moved forward for Board of County Commissioner approval.
County municipalities have started to request assistance with the County. As small businesses continue to reopen, many have identified needs that could be assisted with this funding. Nonprofits have been tapped at an untold speed during this pandemic and they also need assistance from this funding. Additionally, Tulsa County is working with experts who can help assess the small business and nonprofit need specifically.
Currently, the Board of County Commissioners has a weekly agenda item to approve funding requests. The County will continue to follow this process unless an extraordinary circumstance presents itself that would require a special meeting. Michael Willis’ County Clerk’s office is preparing a COVID-19 Checkbook that will be available at www.tulsacounty.org as part of the Tulsa County Transparency Initiative. Available on the Tulsa County Transparency Initiative webpage, the Checkbook will list all expenditures and reimbursements distributed from the CARES Act funding.
Tulsa County District Court Update
District Courts will open May 18. All reopening requirements are an effort to minimize the number of people coming to the Courthouse as much as possible over an initial two-week period from May 18 through May 29. During the first phase, out-of-custody criminal defendants, small claims courts, and those who are supposed to appear in traffic court do not need to appear during this timeframe; new dates will be provided through the Oklahoma State Courts Network or through attorneys.
All Courthouse areas occupied by judges, judicial staff, court clerks, and staff may remain closed to the public with exceptions as permitted by local order. If access to the courtroom is granted, masks and gloves must be worn by the entering party. Those allowed entry will be limited to attorneys, parties, necessary staff, victims, and witnesses—individual judges may use their discretion to allow others inside. Tulsa County District Court courtrooms will follow suit with the 50 people or less policy in Tulsa. Additionally, courtrooms will be outfitted with social distancing markers inside and hand sanitizer stations available at each entrance while judges’ chambers will be restricted to judges and staff only.
During this phase, judges and participants are encouraged to use video and telephone conferencing for those matters where it’s appropriate. Phases Two and Three will allow the courts to properly handle all court business once restrictions are lessened and courtroom limitations are reduced.
Jury trials previously set for May 18, June 1, and June 15, 2020, are canceled. Jury trial weeks for criminal cases only may be added during any and all of the first three weeks of August.
