Governor Edwards moved the state back to a “modified” Phase Two Tuesday due to surging COVID case numbers in all regions of Louisiana.
Edwards said the new restrictions are very similar to what we had for most of the summer.
“Restaurants, gyms, and other non-essential retail will be limited to 50 percent capacity. I am going to leave churches and other places of worship at 75 percent capacity, and remember that that is a maximum,” said Edwards.
A maximum of 75 people will be allowed at indoor events, with a maximum of 150 people allowed at outdoor events.
Bars will be banned from operating in any parish with a greater than five percent positivity rate, down from the current ten percent limit. Edwards also said stadium capacity will be coming down.
“Spectator capacity at sporting events will be at 25 percent. Physical distancing and masking are essential and will be required,” said Edwards.
Stadiums in some parishes had been allowed to increase their capacity up to 50 percent. This change particularly impacts high school football playoff games set to begin Friday.
The order takes effect Wednesday and will last until at least December 23rd, but Edwards warned he’s likely to extend the order through the end of the year.
“I just hope, I pray, I believe that we are not going to have to put in more restrictions,” said Edwards. “That is all going to turn upon the degree to which people in Louisiana embrace the challenge before us.”
School restrictions will remain unchanged, and any new restrictions will be left up to the districts.
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