Although Gov. Kevin Stitt has allowed a gradual reopening of businesses, with some able to reopen Friday, a patchwork of local rules has made things confusing for many businesses. Cities across the state are scrambling to decide whether to go along with Stitt’s plans or delay reopening until May 1 – or later. Some, such as Midwest City, Del City, Broken Arrow, Yukon and Moore plan on reopening Friday. Others, such as El Reno, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Edmond and Stillwater aren’t ready yet and prohibit reopening before May 1. So far, Stitt’s tiered approach allows personal care businesses like hair and nail salons to reopen Friday. Others must wait until the state activates its second and third tiers. For now, Stitt’s statewide order defers to local orders. Norman Mayor Breea Clark criticized the governor for reopening too soon. "Our residents are really scared right now and relying on elected officials to get us through this, and to have these mixed messages right now is irresponsible,” she said. El Reno Mayor Matt White said reopening Friday is too soon for his city as well. “We absolutely agree with opening Oklahoma back up. We’ve got to get back to work,” he said. However, he said, “We just don’t agree with the first phase.”The announcement caught many cities by surprise. Stitt previously had said he preferred to have businesses reopen May 1.

Although Gov. Kevin Stitt has allowed a gradual reopening of businesses, with some able to reopen Friday, a patchwork of local rules has made things confusing for many businesses.

Cities across the state are scrambling to decide whether to go along with Stitt’s plans or delay reopening until May 1 – or later. Some, such as Midwest City, Del City, Broken Arrow, Yukon and Moore plan on reopening Friday. Others, such as El Reno, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Edmond and Stillwater aren’t ready yet and prohibit reopening before May 1.


So far, Stitt’s tiered approach allows personal care businesses like hair and nail salons to reopen Friday. Others must wait until the state activates its second and third tiers.

For now, Stitt’s statewide order defers to local orders.

Norman Mayor Breea Clark criticized the governor for reopening too soon.

"Our residents are really scared right now and relying on elected officials to get us through this, and to have these mixed messages right now is irresponsible,” she said.

El Reno Mayor Matt White said reopening Friday is too soon for his city as well.

“We absolutely agree with opening Oklahoma back up. We’ve got to get back to work,” he said.

However, he said, “We just don’t agree with the first phase.”

The announcement caught many cities by surprise. Stitt previously had said he preferred to have businesses reopen May 1.

