Governor Edwards cites the increase in COVID-19 cases for keeping Louisiana from advancing to Phase Three of economic reopening. Louisiana is among 23 states where cases are increasing. Edwards says most of those states are in the south, so it now debunks the theory that heat and humidity would hinder the virus.
“That’s not happening in our country and it is certainly not happening in the hottest, most humid part of our country,” said Edwards.
Edwards says the percentage of case growth among young people is increasing dramatically in Louisiana and believes that is because that age group may be more hesitant to follow restrictions because they know they are not personally at the same risk level as older people.
“There have been new community spread cases that can be traced back to bars including popular areas like Tigerland near LSU as well as high school graduation parties in New Orleans and elsewhere,” said Edwards.
Edwards pledges to have officials be more active in monitoring business’s spread mitigation efforts with courtesy visits and suggestions on improvements. Edwards says the state has not shutdown or revoked any permits for failing to follow spread mitigation measures, but…
“After we’ve explained to a particular establishment where they are coming up short, if they fail to address the areas that we’re telling them that need additional attention, then that will certainly would be an option for us,” said Edwards.
The state will remain in Phase Two until at least July 24th.
That means churches, restaurants, hair and nail salons must remain at 50-percent occpuancy, bars that do not serve food must stay at 25-percent capacity.
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