Recent spikes in COVID-19 infection rates across Louisiana prompted Governor John Bel Edwards to today announce tighter restrictions on businesses starting tomorrow, November 25, 2020, and lasting until December 23, 2020. These restrictions mainly concern occupancy rates, except for bars, which have more extensive limitations, and are being referred to as a “modified Phase II.” Changes include:
- Restaurants, gyms, and non-essential retail limited to 50% capacity
- Essential businesses include anything deemed essential by the Department of Homeland Security
- Churches and places of worship remain at 75% capacity
- Must practice social distancing of 6 feet
- Bars in parishes with a 5% or lower positivity rate can be open for indoor consumption, capped at 25% capacity
- LDH will update percent positivity cases for parishes tomorrow; it is expected that bars in many Capital Region parishes will have to close to indoor consumption based on that update
- Bars in parishes with more than 5% positivity rate must close to indoor consumption, but may remain open for outdoor consumption, limited to no more than 50 people
- Indoor gatherings that do not fall in one of the above categories limited to 25% capacity with no more than 75 people
- Outdoor gatherings limited to 125 people
- Spectator and sporting events limited to 25% capacity
The statewide mask mandate remains in place. The Governor is urging businesses to maximize telework as much as possible and is encouraging families to engage in safe holiday activities. Additionally, schools remain open with local districts and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education maintaining authority to enact restrictions on in-person learning. BRAC will continue to monitor any additional changes that may be announced.