Tulsa City Council holds off on mask mandate

TULSA, Okla. — UPDATE: In a special meeting, the city council voted to hold-off on enforcing a mask mandate in Tulsa.

If passed, the mandate would require anyone four years old and up to wear a mask indoors, until it expires on November 30th. This mandate would not apply to public schools because of state law. It also would not apply to people outdoors or to people eating or drinking at a restaurant.

After hours of discussion, five city councilmembers voted yes and four voted no to the mask mandate. This was one vote away from the mandate going into effect right away. The city council will vote on this mask ordinance again on August 25th, during the next city council meeting. Tonight was considered a first reading of the ordinance.

The meeting started at six and lasted several hours. Councilmembers heard from four invited guests, which included Tulsa Heath Department’s Dr. Bruce Dart. They then allowed for public comment. They heard from 12 people who were in support of the mask mandate and eight people who were against it. After public comment, the city council discussed the proposed mandate for around an hour and a half before voting.

Monday night, city councilmembers decided to hold off on a mask mandate until the next council meeting.

After hours of discussion, five councilmembers voted ‘yes’ and four voted ‘no’ on the mask mandate. They say they will talk about the mask mandate at the next city council meeting on August 25.

If passed, it would require everyone four-years-old and up to wear a mask while indoors. Masks would not be required for people outdoors or for people eating and drinking.

Several venues across the city have decided to create their own COVID-19 rules. Beginning August 18, Mercury Lounge and the Whittier Bar will require both a mask and a vaccination card to enter. Your vaccination card must show that you have had the second dose for at least two weeks. You can also show proof of a negative COVID test at least 72 hours before the show.

Last week, three councilmembers called for Monday’s special meeting because they are worried about the rising COVID-19 numbers and the circulating Delta variant.

Mayor G.T. Bynum says no matter what happens, this mandate would not apply to school districts. He said in an interview with KRMG, “You can pass a mask ordinance for kids in Tulsa, and it would be enforceable everywhere in Tulsa but except inside schools, because the state law overrides anything we can pass at a city level.”

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