OKC Mayor Announces Closure Of Public Venues, Restaurant Restrictions Due To Coronavirus

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt announced the closure of several venues and businesses in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) during the pandemic. 

The announcement of the modified state of emergency declaration was made during a press conference Tuesday and includes the closure of bars, gyms, theaters and the Remington Park Casino. Oklahoma City restaurants will serve only take-out or delivery, the mayor said. 

 Under the terms of the state of emergency:

All bars and similar venues without on-premises food (hookah barks, cigar bars and vaping lounges) must close from 5 p.m. today (March 17) through April 12.

All bars and similar venues with on-premises food, breweries, restaurants and coffee shops may serve only take-out or delivery food, or pre-packaged alcohol authorized for sale under state law, from 12:01 a.m. March 18 through April 12. They must otherwise remain closed to everyone but employees.

All athletic gyms, exercise facilities, movie theaters and shopping mall food courts must close from 12:01 a.m. March 18 through April 12.

The Remington Park gaming area must close from 12:01 a.m. March 18 through April 12.

Staff may still perform maintenance duties at these facilities.

Holt said the original terms of the emergency proclamation are also still in place.

Related Story: State Of Emergency Declared In Oklahoma City Due To Coronavirus

The mayor said the city is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD). For more on the emergency proclamation, click here.

The news regulations are in effect through April 12 unless extended of rescinded by the mayor.