Metro mayors likely to reopen businesses slower than governor's pace

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Governor Stitt announced on Wednesday he's ready to start reopening Oklahoma amid the coronavirus pandemic. That reopening will start on Friday.

At his press conference, Stitt announced that personal care facilities, like hair salons and barbershops, will be allowed to reopen on April 24. On May 1, more businesses like restaurants, churches and movie theaters will follow.

But when you see businesses reopen will likely be more about where you live. Mayors of cities around the Oklahoma City metro are taking a more measured approach than the governor's plan.

Shortly after Stitt's speech, OKC Mayor David Holt tweeted a statement saying personal care facilities in the city will remain closed until the city's 'Shelter-in-Place' order expires on May 1. At that time, Holt says he hopes "that public health data allows Oklahoma City to consider entering that new phase on May 1st as the Governor has envisioned."

Norman Mayor Breea Clark had some more choice words for the governor's plan in her conversation with FOX 25.

"We have got to do this better. We have one shot at managing this pandemic, and we're blowing it," said Clark.

The Norman mayor says first and foremost, the state needs to have testing and content tracing capabilities in place, before letting people return to everyday life. Clark says Oklahoma is nowhere near ready yet.

"We don't have enough testing. We don't have a plan for contact tracing. This is entirely irresponsible and dangerous," says Clark. "Where are the tests? What's the plan for contact tracing? Is it a state level? Is it a county level? Is it a city level? Nobody's told me."

But Clark sees another problem, honing in on the state's sales tax system. She says that, coupled with today's announcement, will force cities to open sooner, and pit them against each other for sales tax revenue.

"We're the only state in the nation that ties cities to sales tax the way that we do," says Clark. "So when he does this piecemeal approach to allowing places to open up, it forces other cities to do it because we're fighting for sales tax."

Clark says she knows it's been tough on residents and the economic impact has been devastating. And she thanked residents for their efforts to shelter in place.

"I'm very proud of our residents. And I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of them," said Clark. "For those that are following social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing their hands more than normal, it is very much appreciated."

Governor Stitt specifically mention he'd spoken with Mayor Holt and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum ahead of today's announcement. Mayor Clark says she was never consulted, and hasn't heard directly from the governor since early in the pandemic.

Clark says she too has been in contact with Holt, and the other mayors of cities around the metro. She believes they will all come up with similar plans to open cities.

As for the much-watched May 1 date, Norman resident should't expect a large opening.

"We will see some relaxations, but we're not going to see big time changes," said Clark. "I mean, we have to have the testing in place. We have to have contact tracing."