May 21, COVID-19 Situation Update

5/21/2020

Situation Update
To date, the Tulsa Health Department (THD) has confirmed 852 positive COVID-19 cases in Tulsa County. 692 residents have recovered and 40 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  

Under the Civil Emergency in Tulsa, groups of 50 or less are allowed to gather and the City has begun 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.

Most businesses are now open under the phased approach by the State of Oklahoma with safety precautions in place. For additional guidance and information, visit: www.okcommerce.gov/ours-plan/.

Resilience & Recovery Fund Update
To date, the R&R Fund has approved 41 different Tulsa businesses for Zero Interest Loans. In partnership with TEDC, the City has been processing these applications from hundreds of businesses since April 1. These 41 Tulsa businesses now have a combined $1.1 million of working capital to help them through this time.

City Employees Return to Work June 1
Starting June 1, most City administrative employees who were working from home will return to work under certain guidelines.

When returning to work, all City staff will be wearing cloth face coverings when within 6 ft. of one another and will continue to limit in-person meetings as much as possible. Employees will also get their temperature checked before they start their shift and at the end of their shift.   

City Hall visitors will also be asked to wear cloth face coverings and have their temperature checked by Security before entering the building. This measure is for visitors’ safety and the safety of City employees.

Household Pollutant Collection Facility Reopening May 27
The City of Tulsa Household Pollutant Collection Facility, 4502 S. Galveston Ave., will reopen to the public on Wednesday, May 27. The facility will be open by appointment only on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Customers may make appointments by calling (918) 591-4325. For more information, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/departments/streets-and-stormwater/household-pollutant-collection-facility/

For both customers’ and employees’ safety at the Household Pollutant Collection Facility, customers dropping off pollutants should stay in their vehicles. Employees will be wearing masks, face shields and gloves, in addition to the normal required personal protective equipment. The Swap Shop will remain closed at the present time.

Other Services Set to Resume
Open now, City Hall’s Licensing Center on the 2^nd Floor has returned to regular hours, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Working In Neighborhood Department’s Neighborhood Dumpster Program is scheduled to resume Friday, May 22. Neighborhood associations with dumpster requests after the restart date will be serviced as previously scheduled. Associations that were missed due to the program hiatus will have the opportunity to reschedule. For more information, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/departments/working-in-neighborhoods/neighborhoods/dumpster-program/

Also, the M.e.t. (Metropolitan Environmental Trust) has reopened its recycling depots in the Tulsa area. For details, visit: http://metrecycle.com/

Tulsa County Update
The Tulsa County Parks staff have allowed restricted practices at County ballfields as of last weekend. They also have a sound plan to reopen County Community Centers in a controlled manner that keeps everyone safe. LaFortune Parks Community Center opened last Friday, May 15, with limitations in place for the number of citizens that can enter the Center, as well as only modified recreation programs that adhere to a safe number in one area.  

Chandler Park and South County Community Centers are expected to reopen May 22. The Bixby Community Center remains closed as the team works on how best to program activities that fit that center’s amenities. Additionally, the grills at both LaFortune and South Lakes Golf Courses have been taking to-go and carry-out orders; beginning tomorrow they will begin a phased re-opening of our dining-in options that includes limited indoor dining to 10 guests at a time, reducing the number of tables to adhere to social distancing separations, disinfection of tables and chairs after each use, and providing single use condiments on request—no common use containers will be available.

The two pools at LaFortune Park and South County are closed for the summer. The County expects that when larger groups can meet, the Splash Pad at O’Brien Park and the Splash Park at Chandler Park could open later in the summer.

Lastly, the County Parks Department is finishing up outlining procedures to start summer camps at our Community Centers, Golf Courses, and Case Tennis Center.