In his Sunday press conference on Oklahoma’s response to COVID-19, Governor Kevin Stitt called on Oklahoma businesses to be innovative and entrepreneurial in helping the state get ahead of the virus. But Stitt resisted following some of the state’s mayors in enacting stricter social distancing procedures, including the temporary closure of some businesses.
One of the state’s most prominent CEO's — Chad Richison from Paycom — has now sent the Governor two letters, urging him to do more for the well-being of Oklahomans.
Richison's second letter, dated March 22, echoed his first letter, urging Stitt to take further action in the face of COVID-19.
"It is serious, and the consequences of continued inaction on the part of the executive branch is severe," Richison said.
He made several recommendations to the governor, including banning all non-essential air travel from Oklahoma airports, mandating food preparers adhere to new standards and temporarily suspending person-to-person services like hair salons, nail salons, spas and massage parlors.
The City of Norman has enacted at least one of Richison's recommendations, as they will close "barber shops, beauty shops, health clubs or spas, and nail salons" by 5 p.m. on Monday. The new city regulations also ask grocery stores, pharmacies and gas station to establish controls to enforce six feet of distance between customers in lines.
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