ENID, OK – The City Council voted Tuesday night 4-3 vote to adhere to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s statewide reopening plan moving Enid directly to Phase 3. Ezzell, Waddell and Norwood voted against the plan while Mason, Stallings, Allen, and Mayor Pankonin were in favor.
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Gov. Stitt’s phase three advises residents to avoid crowded environments and continue CDC social-distancing guidelines,. If safe distancing cannot be achieved people are advised to wear a face mask.
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Under Phase 3, businesses may resume unrestricted staffing at their worksites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.
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Individuals should still minimize time spent in crowded environments and continue following CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.
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Additionally, summer camps are allowed to open provided they follow safety guidelines. Businesses that had been operating by appointment only may begin accepting walk-in clients at their discretion.
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In conjunction with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the statewide medical community, limited visitation to hospitals may be reinstated at the discretion of the facility.
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As the data shows COVID-19 has a significantly more profound impact on the elderly and immunocompromised populations, visitation at nursing homes and long-term care facilities will remain suspended except for end-of-life situations until explicitly lifted by a future executive order.
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City Follows State To Phase 3
I humbly disagree, do not wait, follow the state recommendations. ASAP
I believe the mayor is wrong or uneducated on the issue regarding salons and barbershops. The cleanliness standards for salons and barbershops is exceptionally stringent. The State Board has recently implemented additional requirements for the safety of both stylist and client. I know for a fact that my daughter began adding and extra 30 minutes between clients to sanitize before Oklahoma even began restrictions.
It’s easy for the mayor to make the extension because his sole livelihood has not been on hold for four weeks. The unemployment for self employed persons has yet to make it’s way to anyone. So what seems like a short period of extra time( 7 days), it equates to five weeks of no income whatsoever. There are still bills to pay.
Any stylist that claims they don’t have the ability to aquire items to clean their salon , either doesn’t keep a clean salon and should be reported to the state board, not trying hard enough (bleach and alcohol are readily available, and marvicide can be purchased from State Beauty Supply.
As a mayor, you had the ability to make and amend declarations, there is no reason why you can’t do that now.
I adamantly disagree with the mayor Every Enid business needs to be free to choose their own path. These baseless edicts with unprovable health benefits are destroying this city economically and alienating small businesses from locating and hiring the people who pay utility bills and taxes The housing market already has the slumlords salivating over prospective property grabs as folks are forced out of rentals and mortgages Just open the city for all businesses and stop playing god
The three members that voted against phase 3 reopening are not a surprise to me. Pretty typical of that particular group
FYI. If another outbreak begins, it will be much worse here in Enid. We have been lucky so far but we still have added 1 new case almost daily since the 1st one.
There are many people who are ignoring the Stay at home order anyway. This ignorence can cost many lives. A second run will take many lives this time . There are unreported cases here and it is still here. If your good with God , and your loved ones then ok. I am not sure what people expect but there will be many more deaths if the spread takes over before it is gone.
I agree with the mayor. If we open businesses and people have a false illusion that the virus is under control then it cycles all over again. I have been without revenue of any kind for a month, but I put safety before anything. We all are having a hard time right now. Thank God we wake up every morning.
We certainly have been sailing in challenging and uncharted waters. Garfield County and the City of Enid have done well considering the early weeks of unknowns. We often have tourism during the summer months. Some during the holidays. That is all food of thought considering the more outside travelers the greater the danger of helping the sickness spread.
Like most things, the keys are in our own hands, they are on a key ring called personal responsibility. Some people carry them well. Others can’t find them when they need them most.
And some don’t care about that sort of thing. This was a wake up call to friends and enemies alike. And I will leave you with that sobering thought.
If the mayor was serious about controlling the spread of the virus Walmart and Lowe’s wouldnt be open. How many small businesses, besides restaurants, do you see over 10 people in at once? And truth be told a mayor doesnt have the power to shut down a personal business. And I think small businesses should sue the city for losses
I strongly disagree with not following guidelines offered by the State at the very least. Open Enid up and let people go to work. There is no data that supports this for Enid, Oklahoma.
Thanks, George! Better safe than sorry!
I have ask this question before no answer why is Hobby Lobby and Hibbett sporting goods allowed to open what is it they sell that is essential that people have to have other than Chinese and Mexican junk and trinkets I guess the rich gets favoritism.
Glad we have a mayor that is thinking this through. Although there are a number of non essential business open. Also a lot of idiots running around Enid, Lowe’s for example.
Why don’t you come to Walmart. People are out shopping like they have all long. Theirs no restrictions here. Open enid back up and move on.
I disagree w the mayor! Bars should b open, with social distancing, there sanitization are alot better then someplace, I wont mention. The barn for example! That is the owners ONLY sourcen of income, and lost her husband recently to. Small business needs to survive. Open up the bars!
Its important all read the 6 page plan the Enid City Commission will vote on Thursday. I do believe based on Garfield County and Enid’s COVID-19 numbers the Phase plan should allow more than what is proposed in Phase 1. Hopefully the City Commission will realize this and mandate modifications before approving.