Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday took greater steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.



Saying Oklahoma could have more than 500 positive cases of coronavirus, Stitt announced he is enacting a "safer-at-home" policy to mandate the state's "vulnerable populations" remain at home until April 30.



In an updated executive order, Stitt mandates all "nonessential" business in the 19 Oklahoma counties with confirmed cases of COVID-19 close for a 21-day period starting at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.



Additional counties will be included if more confirmed cases are discovered in surrounding counties.



"We’re taking what we think is appropriate action at this time based on the facts that we have and the data in Oklahoma," Stitt said.



Oklahomans over age 65 and those with and those with underlying medical conditions are required to follow Stitt's "safer-at-home" policy. Those Oklahomans will still be allowed to run "essential" errands like visiting the pharmacy or grocery store.



The governor also announced a statewide ban on all gatherings of more than 10 people. He also is imposing a 14-day moratorium on all elective surgeries, minor medical procedures, and non-emergency dental procedures.



Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, thanked Stitt for taking additional steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but said his actions don't go far enough.



"While these new executive orders are a step in the right direction, we will continue to advocate for a comprehensive and consistent statewide policy," Floyd said.



Stitt said he hopes the actions he announced Tuesday will help keep the state's COVID-19 cases low so they don't overwhelm Oklahoma's hospitals and health care providers.



"By acting early, we’re going to flatten that curve to keep it underneath our health care system and also gives us time to ramp up and develop the protective equipment and also the additional ventilators, ICU beds, the additional hospital beds," he said.



The order on "nonessential" businesses in affected counties will be re-evaluated on April 16. Stitt said he is hopeful the state will have more testing and data at that point that will help him make an informed decision on next steps.



The "nonessential" businesses that will have to close in 19 counties include salons, movie theaters, gyms, bars tattoo parlors, spas and massage parlors. Restaurants will only be allowed to offer food and beverages to go. Pharmacies and grocery stores will remain open.



The governor's announcement comes as the Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 109 Oklahomans have tested positive and three have died from the virus. But Stitt said the number of confirmed cases is likely far lower than the actual number of cases due to the state's limited testing ability.



Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation Kayse Shrum said Stitt's new policies will help the state slow transmission of the virus while ramping up testing and making sure hospitals are prepared for an influx of patients.



"I believe the governor’s initiatives address the heart of what the health care community is wanting," said Shrum, a doctor and president of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.



More than a dozen Oklahoma medical organizations on Monday asked Stitt to implement a statewide shelter-in-place policy. They said the executive actions Stitt announced Tuesday fell short of what is needed to protect Oklahomans.



New COVID-19 directives from Stitt



• Adults over age 65 and people with underlying medical conditions are required to stay home until April 30, with the exception of "essential" errands.



• Gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited.



• Medical providers are required to postpone all elective surgeries, minor medical procedures and dental procedures until April 7.



• Nonessential businesses in 19 affected counties must close by midnight on Wednesday and remain closed until April 16.



• Visitors are prohibited at Oklahoma nursing homes, long-term care facilities and retirement homes.