Gov. Edwards to Announce Decision on Phase Two Later Today
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will be holding a press conference today at 2:30pm to announce whether or not Louisiana will be moving into Phase Two of reopening the state.
If you look at the COVID-19 state statistics, there is evidence that we are flattening the curve. In fact, the Louisiana Department of Health reported single digit death totals on Sunday, the first time they've reported that in months.
The press conference will be held today at 2:30pm. It appears Louisiana government officials believe it's time for Louisiana to move into Phase Two since we are seeing the needed criteria of decline in patients with the virus in hospitals and those on ventilators.
Under the White House Plan for Phase Two, here are some changes coming out of Phase One:
- Bars may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate
- Non-essential travel can resume
- Large venues (sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under moderate physical distancing protocols
Other items to note:
- Schools and organized youth activities (e.g., daycare, camp) can reopen
- Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals should be prohibited. Those who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene
- Elective surgeries can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient and in-patient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines
- Gyms can remain open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols
Under Phase Two, all vulnerable individuals should continue to stay at home. Family members returning to work in a household with a vulnerable individual are recommend to take precautions to not take the virus back home, even as far as isolating themselves from the vulnerable individual.