Mayor signs COVID-19 Emergency Declaration for City of Broken Arrow

The City of Broken Arrow has issued an Emergency Declaration due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The proclamation is effective immediately.

“The City of Broken Arrow believes it is important to follow the CDC guidelines and err on the side of caution even though no one has been diagnosed yet in Broken Arrow,” said Mayor Craig Thurmond.

While there is currently no evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in the City of Broken Arrow, City officials are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Events of 50 people or more in City facilities are prohibited and special events permits issued for events of 50 people or more are revoked until further notice.

COVID-19 is a new virus that currently lacks widely available testing at pharmacies and doctor’s offices which reduces the ability to effectively track community spread.

While there is currently no evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in the City of Broken Arrow, there is little known regarding the transmission of COVID-19 by those who are infected but not yet showing symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the Revised Interim Guidance for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on March 15, 2020 recommending a number of factors be considered in postponing or canceling mass gatherings, including that larger gatherings of more than 50 people offer more opportunities for person-to-person contact and therefore pose greater risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The President of the United States and Governor of the State of Oklahoma have declared emergencies due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.