Norman City Council Passes Ordinance Aimed At Game Day Parties

Game day is going to look a lot different this weekend in OU nation.

As the Sooners take on Kansas State, city council passed a new ordinance Tuesday to limit nuisance parties and enforce mask use.

Some council members said after watching spectators at OU's last home game, they knew they had to take action.

The university previously limited stadium capacity to 25 percent. The school also mandated facial coverings inside the stadium and on campus.

But now, the council is requiring those gathering in large groups to limit capacity to 25 people, even outside on front lawns. There are also penalties for those not following face covering requirements.

Fines could range $50-$500.

The ordinance is aimed at eliminating nuisance parties. Council members said an increase in cases hurts the entire town and is a contributing factor for a surge in cases.

Mayor Breea Clark said a rise in cases creates a concern for Norman Public Schools.

The council said discussions about the new ordinance originated after several groups were seen unmasked and tightly huddled near campus.

The Norman deputy police chief did tell council members no one would be entering private homes to enforce the ordinance.

One loophole council member Alison Petrone pointed out, if someone is holding a drink, they are exempt.

The ordinance was passed with an emergency declaration and will take effect immediately, and expire with the mask ordinance in November 30th.