When he signed Senate Bill 658, Governor Kevin Stitt decided to take it a step further issue an executive order lifting any mandates for masks in state agencies and restricting agencies from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine to access services.
“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,” wrote Stitt in the executive order.
Starting June 1, 2021, most state agencies will lift any mandate for the wearing of masks in order to receive government services and are prohibited from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of admittance to any public building.
The order does not apply to direct patient care buildings or the employees who work there.
