While El Reno Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White has not ruled out a citywide shelter-in-place order, he is asking residents to use common sense and take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously.

“Just don’t take a chance with the stuff. It’s here (in the county) and what I understand from the numbers sent out from the state that the number of cases will start to climb.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has not declared a statewide shelter-in-place order, but White expects one soon. The state is one of 12 nationally not to have such an order.

There are several cities in Oklahoma that have ordered shelter-in- place proclamations such as Edmond, Norman, Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Tulsa. Those cities comprise roughly 1.3 million residents.

White said he is following the lead of the state.

“I’ve been on conference calls with the governor and his staff this whole time and we are in touch with the state. It’s easy to just do what other people are doing, but we feel like here in El Reno, if we just ask people not to do something, they won’t.

“We are basically sheltering-in-place now and I know citizens are doing it and we want to make sure they continue doing it. I’m following the direct orders from the governor,” said White.

On Wednesday, El Reno ruled off limits all playground equipment in city parks. El Reno Assistant City Manager Matt Sandidge said the municipal pool at Legion Park will not open this summer but the swimming area at Lake El Reno will remain open for the time being.

“That has not been closed,” Sandidge said, referring to the lake.

“This is changing on a daily basis and if we get the recommendation from state and health experts, we could close that as well.”

Sandidge said closing the pool was not an easy decision, but April is usually when lifeguards are hired and pool preparations begin.

“It was a tough decision to make because we know folks of all ages want to enjoy the city resources like the pool. But due to the uncertainty around COVID-19, we are closing it in order to help stop any possible spread of the illness.”

The walking trails in city parks and Crimson Creek Golf Course will remain open but White urged users to follow state and federal guidelines for social distancing. President Donald Trump extended the U.S. social distancing guidelines through April 30.

“So there is no confusion, our playgrounds are closed. You can go outside and you can use the walking trails but get your 6-foot space and stay away from people.

“We have hung signs on the playground equipment and we will have police patrols go by,” said White.

The El Reno City Council is expected to take up the issue at its April 14 meeting.

“Until the board meeting, I have asked the police department to write tickets for unlawful assembly. We don’t want to write tickets but we will if we have to,” said White.

White said as of Thursday afternoon there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in El Reno. State numbers show there are 28 confirmed cases in Canadian County and one death.

“We have no cases in El Reno and I talk to the health department every day. When someone gets a test done, no matter where, they have to give an address and the health department in that county is notified.

“We call them each day to see if we have a case in El Reno. We don’t have one but I expect one any day,” said White.

Statewide there have been 879 confirmed cases of the virus as of Thursday with 34 deaths, but only 2,146 tests have been conducted out of a population of 3.943 million residents.

“We are asking El Reno to help police itself. We need your help and it’s a dire need. We want you to police your own kids and your neighbor’s kids. We should not have to ask you not to jeopardize your own life and you should not want to jeopardize your life.

“If you have a medical pre-condition, stay inside. If you are worried about kids getting germs off playground equipment, they probably will so stay off them. Stay in your area, but if you have to go outside, use social distancing and get what you need and then go back home,” said White.