Police in some of Oklahoma's largest cities are electing to use a softer touch, rather than aggressive enforcement, with state and local business restrictions as Oklahoma gradually reopens amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scores of restaurants, retailers and offices have reopened their doors – or at least partially returned to pre-pandemic life – since Gov. Kevin Stitt and many cities or counties eased stay-at-home restrictions on May 1. More orders are set to topple later this week after the state entered the second reopening phase May 15.

But current state and local orders or proclamations, which...