Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 1 - EXECUTIVE ORDERS › Section 1:2020-7

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-7
On March 15, 2020, the eighth case of a novel coronavirus
			 ("COVID-19"), was confirmed in the State of Oklahoma. As noted in a previous
			 Executive Order, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
			 has identified the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 as "high"
			 both globally and in the United States. In addition, on March 14, 2020, the
			 President of the United States declared a national health emergency in the
			 United States as a result of the national spread of COVID-19.
While impact in Oklahoma has continued to be relatively minimal
			 to date, it is increasingly important for Oklahoma to be ready for this threat.
			 Therefore, I believe, after consultation with numerous health experts within my
			 administration, it is now necessary to provide for the rendering of mutual
			 assistance among the State and political subdivisions of the State and to
			 cooperate with the Federal government with respect to carrying out emergency
			 functions during the continuance of the State emergency pursuant to the
			 provisions of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003.
Therefore, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma,
			 pursuant to the power vested in me by Section 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma
			 Constitution, hereby declare and order the following:
1. There is hereby declared an emergency
		  caused by the impending threat of COVID-19 to the people of this State and the
		  public's peace, health, and safety. The counties included in this declaration
		  are:
All 77 Oklahoma Counties
2. The State Emergency Operations Plan has
		  been activated, and resources of all State departments and agencies available
		  to meet this emergency are hereby committed to the reasonable extent necessary
		  to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of
		  the public. These efforts shall be coordinated by the Director of the
		  Department of Emergency Management with comparable functions of the federal
		  government and political subdivisions of the State.
3. State agencies, in responding to this
		  emergency, may make necessary emergency acquisitions to fulfill the purposes of
		  this declaration without regard to limitations or bidding requirements on such
		  acquisitions to include the use of the state purchase card. Such necessary
		  emergency purchases shall be capped at $250,000.00 per transaction. All such
		  purchases must be readily identifiable as such, as following the conclusion of
		  this threat, all such necessary emergency acquisitions will be audited to
		  determine if they were made for emergency purposes.
4. State agencies, in responding to this
		  emergency, may employ additional staff without regard to the classification
		  requirements of such employment.
5.
		  State agencies shall continue to follow guidance for interaction with the
		  public provided by the Oklahoma Department of Health.
In addition, I direct all state agencies as follows:
1. Transmit a clear delegation of authority
		  for state agency directors and designate an Emergency Management Liaison by
		  5:00 p.m. on March 16, 2020;
2.
		  Establish and, if necessary, implement a remote work policy that balances the
		  safety and welfare of state employees with the critical services they provide;
3. Encourage Oklahomans
		  interacting with agency services to utilize online options whenever possible;
4. Ensure continued compliance
		  with Executive Order 2019-13, which limits non-essential out-of-state travel.
5. Promulgate any emergency rules
		  necessary to respond to the emergency and to comply with the directives
		  contained herein.
This Order shall be effective until the end of thirty (30)
			 days after the filing of this Order.
Copies of this Executive Order shall be distributed to the
			 Director of Emergency Management, the Oklahoma State Health Commissioner, and
			 the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services who shall
			 cause the provisions of this Order to be implemented by all appropriate
			 agencies of State government.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal
			 of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, this 15 
			 th day of March, 2020.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. Kevin Stitt
ATTEST:
Michael Rogers
Secretary of State