On April 1, 2020, the 719th case of a novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), was confirmed
in the State of Oklahoma. As noted in a previous Executive Order, the United States Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention has identified the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19
as "high" both globally and in the United States. In addition, on March 14, 2020, the President of
the United States declared a national health emergency in the United States as a result of the
national spread of COVID-19.
As COVID-l 9's impact continues to evolve, it is important to take measures to protect all
Oklahomans against this threat. Therefore, I believe, after consultation with numerous health
experts within my administration, it is now necessary to provide for the rendering of mutual
assistance among the State and political subdivisions of the State and to cooperate with the
Federal government with respect to carrying out emergency functions during the
continuance of the State emergency pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Emergency Management
Act of:2003.
Therefore, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, pursuant to the power vested in me
by Section 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, hereby declare and order the following:
1. There is hereby declared an emergency caused by the impending threat of COVID- 19 to
the people of this State and the public's peace, health, and safety. The counties
included in this declaration are:
All 77 Ok/al,oma Counties
2. The State Emergency Operations Plan has been activated, and resources of all State
departments and agencies available to meet this emergency are hereby committed to the
reasonable extent necessary to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 and to protect the
health and safety of the public. These efforts shall be coordinated by the Director of the
Department of Emergency Management with comparable functions of the federal government and
political subdivisions of the State.
3. State agencies, in responding to this emergency, may make necessary emergency
acquisitions to fulfill the purposes of this declaration. If using a P-Card to make such
acquisitions, agencies may purchase the necessary acquisitions without regard to the current P-Card
policy limitation of $5,000.00 purchase limit. Agencies may make the necessary emergency
acquisitions without the requirement to follow bidding requirement/limitations on
such emergency acquisitions, without the need to purchase from State Use Vendors,
or to purchase from mandatory State Wide contracts. Such necessary emergency purchases shall
be capped at $250,000.00 per transaction. All such purchases must be readily identifiaole as such,
as following the conclusions of this threat, all such necessary emergency acquisitions will be
audited to determine if they were made for emergency purposes.
4. Effective immediately, a moratorium is placed on all out-of-state travel for all
employees and officers of agencies that is paid for, in whole or in part, by the State of
Oklahoma. This moratorium shall apply to all travel expenses not already incurred as of the date
of this Order. Any state employee or officer seeking an exception to this moratorium may submit
a written request to the Governor, who shall have the sole discretion to approve or deny the
request.
5. State agencies, in responding to1hi-s emergency, may employ additional staff without
regard to the classification requirements of such employment.
6. State agencies shall continue to follow guidance for interaction with the
public provided by the Oklahoma Department of Health.