Okla. Admin. Code § 1:2021-16

Current through Vol. 42, No. 3, October 15, 2024

Section 1:2021-16

For over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of all four million Oklahomans. Due to the fortitude of our people and the diligence of our medical professionals, our state is now in a position where every Oklahoman who wants a vaccine has had the ability to undergo a complete cycle. It is time to return to normal. In Oklahoma, the standard for normal is freedom. Today, I have signed Senate Bill 658, ensuring the right of Oklahomans access to education regardless of vaccine status or mask wearing. This Bill is important and has my full support, yet more is to be done. Every Oklahoman must have access to all government services whether or not they choose to be vaccinated or wear a mask.

In view of the foregoing, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, by the authority vested in me by Sections 1 and 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution hereby direct all "state agencies," as defined by 61 O.S. § 327(A), as follows:

1. On or before June 1, 2021, all buildings and office space, owned or leased by the State of Oklahoma and open to the public shall rescind any mandate for the wearing of masks in order to receive government services.

2. By the terms of this Executive Order, all state agencies are hereby prohibited from requiring a vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of admittance to any public building.

3. This Executive Order shall not apply to employees and buildings of state agencies primarily involved in medical patient-facing activities including research participant areas and facilities where patient care is the primary function.

4. Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to restrict an individual's right to wear a mask in a state or public building.

Copies of this Executive Order shall be distributed to all Cabinet Secretaries, the Director of Emergency Management, the Oklahoma State Health Commissioner, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, and the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services who shall cause the provisions of this Order to be implemented by all appropriate agencies of State government.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, this 28 ^th day of May, 2021.

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

J. Kevin Stitt

ATTEST:

Brian Bingman

Secretary of State

Okla. Admin. Code § 1:2021-16

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 19, June 15, 2021, eff. 5/28/2021