COVID-19 Information

April 23, 2020 - In an effort to Open Up and Recover Safely (OURS), the City of Catoosa is following the guidelines set by the State of Oklahoma. To begin Phase I of the OURS approach, City Manager John Blish has amended Emergency Executive Order 2020-02 removing the Shelter-in-Place requirements and allowing certain businesses to open up on April 24, 2020,7:00 a.m. City officials are continuing to follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

The OURS approach can be found here: https://www.okcommerce.gov/wp-content/uploads/Open-Up-and-Recover-Safely-Plan.pdf

The City of Catoosa Proclamation can be found here: https://www.cityofcatoosa.org/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=EXECUTIVE-ORDER-202003-22

Individual Guidance:

• Continue following safer-at-home iii guidelines if they are over 65 or part of a vulnerable population

• Maximize social distance from others when in public (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas)

• Avoid socializing in groups or facilities that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing

• Minimize non-essential travel iv and adhere to CDC guidelines and Executive Orders regarding isolation following travel

Employer Guidance:

• Create plans to allow employees to return to work in phases

• Close common areas or enforce social distancing protocols

• Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines and Executive Orders regarding isolation following travel

• Honor requests of personnel who are members of a vulnerable population for special accommodations

• Develop policies for temperature checks, sanitation, use and disinfection of common area and business travel

• Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms; not allowing symptomatic people to physically return to work and consider implementing flexible sick leave and supportive policies and practices.

• Develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following employee COVID-19 testing

and implement appropriate policies regarding social distancing

April 24, 2020, the following businesses can reopen:

• Personal care businesses, such as hair salons, barbershops, spas, nail salons, and pet groomers can reopen for appointments only, must adhere to sanitation protocols, and follow guidelines posted on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce website regarding social distancing between customers and visitors at personal care businesses.

• State parks and outdoor recreation should be reopened

• Grocery stores should continue to maintain hours for vulnerable populations

• Schools and organized sporting events and camps that are currently closed should remain closed until further notice

• Visits to Senior Living Facilities and Hospitals are prohibited

May 1, 2020 the following businesses can reopen:

• Restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, and other places of public accommodation offering food and beverage for dine-in customers and guests and for on-premises consumption, provided they strictly comply with CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols.

• Movie theaters, indoor and outdoor performance venues and museums provided they strictly comply with CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols.

• Entertainment and sporting venues provided they strictly comply with CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols.

• Gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, and exercise studios, provided they strictly adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols.

• Tattoo Parlors can reopen for appointments only and must adhere to sanitation protocols and social distancing protocols for distancing between customers and visitors.

Places of worship for in-person meetings or worship if they leave every other row or pew open and adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols, plus the recommended guidelines from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Phase II will take place beginning May 15, provided that hospital and incident rates remain a manageable level for 14 days.

March 29, 2020 - Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, City Manager John Blish has signed Emergency Executive Order 2020-02 requiring Shelter-in-Place for all residents and closure of all Non-Essential Businesses in the City of Catoosa. City officials are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Oklahoma Health Department to slow the spread of COVID-19. The proclamation takes effect March 30, 2020 at 11:59 AM.

March 25, 2020 - As the City of Catoosa continues to seek measures to protect our citizens and employees from potential exposure to COVID-19, we will keep City Hall closed until March 31, 2020. Utility payments can be made online or deposited in the overnight dropbox on the north side of the building. Citations can be deposited in the overnight dropbox on the north side of the building.

March 20, 2020 - Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, City Manager John Blish has signed an emergency order limiting and closing certain commercial businesses in the City of Catoosa. City officials are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Oklahoma Health Department to slow the spread of COVID-19. The proclamation takes effect March 21, 2020 at 11:59 PM.

March 19, 2020 - As the City of Catoosa continues to seek measures to protect our citizens and employees from potential exposure to COVID-19, we have closed City Hall until March 26, 2020. Utility payments can be made online or deposited in the overnight dropbox on the north side of the building. Citations can be deposited in the overnight dropbox on the north side of the building.

We will not be turning off water service to citizens in the month of March for non-payment to ensure everyone can follow CDC best practices for hand washing and hygiene. No late penalties will be added during the month of March for non-payment.
The Community Center has cancelled all events indefinitely.

Preparation and Prevention

Here’s a guide from the CDC about preparing your household.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home and avoid contact with others when you are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Try singing "Happy Birthday" twice, because that’s about how long it takes. It’s especially important to wash your hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Healthy people don’t need a face mask for protection from any respiratory disease, including COVID-19. Masks are for people showing COVID-19 symptoms to prevent spreading it to others, and for health workers or others taking care of a sick person in a close setting like a home or health care facility.
Other states and countries with significant outbreaks have taken steps like closing schools for weeks at a time, and encouraging businesses to close. Make a plan for how you and your family or business would need to adapt to a similar situation if it becomes necessary.
Be prepared, not scared. Find more information on how to make a plan and build an emergency kit for any emergency at home here. Find information specifically for COVID-19 on how to prepare your household here, or prepare your business or school system here.

Resources

Statewide information from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH)
- COVID-19 call center: (877) 215-8335 (se habla español)
- Oklahoma response
- Oklahoma resources
- Follow OSDH on Twitter
- Like OSDH on Facebook