Gov. Edwards announces Louisiana is entering Phase One of Re-opening May 15

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that the state will be moving into Phase 1 on May 15. He stated that the decision was made after consultation with OPH epidemiologists, as well as other health officials and professionals across the state. The order will be effective statewide.
So what does this mean for the average person? The stay at home order will no longer be in effect, more businesses that were previously closed will now be able to open, churches will be able to open their doors again, and restaurants can seat people inside.
“The stay-at-home order will be lifted for everyone, but we will continue to encourage those vulnerable individuals to stay home as much as possible. The 10-person gathering restriction will be lifted, however, the White House plan for Opening Up America Again advises avoiding socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing and we will continue to encourage everyone to abide by this guidance,” a letter read from the Governor’s Office.
“While the proclamation will not require the general public to wear masks when they are in public like other states have, we will be strongly encouraging people to wear masks when they are in public – not to protect themselves, but to protect the people around them. Additionally, the proclamation will provide for the following.”
While businesses and churches may be opening back up, it’s not immediately going back to normal. Most establishments are only allowed a maximum occupancy of 25% of whatever the State Fire Marshal has deemed their maximum capacity. There will however be continued allowance for outdoor seating.
Specifics from the letter in reference to the re-opening read, “Churches will be able to conduct indoor service at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with continued allowance for additional outdoor seating with SFM guidance on social distancing. In line with this, indoor funerals and weddings may resume indoors at 25% capacity of the building and may continue outdoor services with no crowd size limitation as long as social distancing is practiced.
Restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes will be able to be open to the public for indoor table service at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with continued allowance for additional outdoor seating with SFM guidance on social distancing.
Movie theaters may be open to the public at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with new guidance from SFM and LDH on social distancing and sanitation.
Barbers, hair salons, and nail salons may be open to the public at 25% of their capacity with SFM guidance on social distancing.
All non-CISA and non-closed businesses will be able to be open to the public at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity.
The establishments that are to remain closed are Massage establishments, spas, tattoo parlors, and all other places of public amusement.
One additional item that the letter addressed was that of summer sports for the youth.
“With summer approaching, I know many of you are receiving questions around youth baseball and summer camps. While these things have not been prohibited in previous orders or this one, SFM and LDH are working on social distancing and sanitization guidance for these sorts of events.
Please provide this information to your members ahead of the press conference at 2:30 p.m. I am sure there will be lots of questions. If you forward them to me, we will get responses as quickly as we can,” the letter read.
For more information regarding Louisiana and their response to COVID-19, visit gov.louisiana.gov.