Tulsa Businesses Deciding Whether To Keep Mask Policies As City Mandate To Expire

Tulsa's mask mandate is set to expire at the end of the day Friday and businesses are deciding whether to keep their own mask policies in place. 

Some businesses, like Antionette Baking Co. and Circle Cinema, will not be dropping their policies just because the city is ending its ordinance. 

After the Tulsa city mask ordinance expires, nothing will be changing at Magic City Books either, where masks will still be required for employees and customers. 

Buyer and Author Program Coordinator Pat Cawiezell said if a customer does not want to wear a mask, they can do curbside pickup orders and stay outside. 

"It was hardly even a decision. This was something that we think continues to be a no brainer, that it is safest if you're going to be inside, to have a mask on. Whether you've been fully vaccinated or not,” Cawiezell said.  

Decisions have not been made yet at many other places, like some bars, restaurants and grocery stores.  

Mayor GT Bynum announced on Wednesday that he will issue a new executive order, ending the requirement for bar and restaurant employees to wear masks at work. 

“Upon review, the Tulsa Health Department does not believe local contact tracing data supports leaving a mask order in place for restaurant and bar employees while they are at work once our mask ordinance lapses at the end of the day on April 30,” Bynum said in a Facebook post.  

That requirement will end at the same time the city's ordinance does, which is at the end of the day Friday.  

"We're ready to get back to what I think we'd all classify as something more normal,” Reasor’s CEO Jeff Reasor said.  

Reasor said while he would like to see the masks go away, a decision has not been made yet. He said the company has a staff meeting tomorrow and expects the company will make a decision by Friday at the latest. 

"We would like to move that direction, but like I said if the health department has some compelling reason where they're still holding out there, or the CDC, it's going to be part of our consideration but we'll also go with the flow with whatever's happening in the city,” he said.  

QuikTrip is also not announcing a decision just yet.  

In a statement, a company spokeswoman said, “QuikTrip will continue to make the required adjustments as state, local and public entities enact new laws and regulations." 

Tulsa Public Schools said its mask policy will not change; everyone in school buildings will still be required to wear a mask.