By Message Staff
BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday that churches and many other businesses in the state can reopen, with certain restrictions, when a new order is issued Friday.
The order will move the state into Phase One of reopening the economy by lifting restrictions that previously limited public gatherings to 10 people or fewer.
Louisianans will be under the new order through June 5.
“The bottom line is the people of Louisiana have worked really hard since this public health emergency was first announced in order to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Edwards said during his Monday news conference. “And I am proud and I want to thank the people of Louisiana for doing that. They committed to and complied with the stay at home order. And had they not, we would not have seen the progress we have been able to see.”
Under the new guidance from the state fire marshal, Department of Health and Governor’s Office, attendance will be limited to 25 percent of a worship center’s seating capacity. Pastors and other church staff will be required to wear face masks or cloth covering, and enforce social distancing.
Other businesses that now can open, with the same maximum occupancy requirements, include:
• Solo and non-contact sports
• Barbers and salons
• Museums, zoos, aquariums (no tactile exhibits)
• Gyms and fitness centers
• In malls, only stores with exterior entrances
• Restaurants, coffee shops and cafes
• Bars and breweries with LDH food permit – takeout, delivery and dine-in seating only
• Theaters
• Casinos and video poker
• Racetracks (not open to spectators)
High-risk individuals are encouraged to remain at home, including those 65 years or older, long-term care facility residents and others with comorbid chronic conditions.
Additional guidance will be released later in the week for churches and other businesses.
Edwards noted that declining coronavirus-related hospitalizations and cases combined with increased testing and expanded testing capacity factored into his decision for Louisiana to enter phase one.
“I do believe that we are striking the right balance with this plan,” Edwards said. “And that balance obviously is between public health on the one hand in this public emergency and reengaging more of our economy.”
Edwards applauded Louisianans for their compliance with the stay at home order.
“I want to tell the people of Louisiana how much I appreciate them, for the patience that they have shown, for the compliance with the stay at home order to put us in position where we can enter phase one and I think do so safely,” Edwards said. “But whether we get through phase one safely really depends upon continued compliance with all these mitigation measures.
“We are not back to life as we knew it before COVID-19,” he continued. “There is a new normal in place. And everybody has a role to play. And I’m asking that you play that role.”
