Starting Wednesday COVID capacity restrictions on nearly all businesses are being dropped in Louisiana, but the mask mandate will remain in place.
Governor Edwards said that means gyms, bars, casinos, salons, and restaurants can operate without capacity restrictions.
“Today marks a big step forward. We are all going to have a role to play and do have a role to play to make sure that cases don’t spike again,” said Edwards.
Large indoor venues will still have a 50 percent occupancy cap, but an increased maximum number of guests. Social distancing will still be required at all businesses.
Edwards warned we’re not totally back to normal. For example bar hours can be set by local authorities, but patrons must still remain seated and be served at tables.
“That is one of the ways that we can lift restrictions and be relatively confident that we are not going to be unnecessarily and unreasonable be contributing to the spread of COVID-19,” said Edwards.
All three of Louisiana’s neighbors have dropped the mask mandate but Edwards said we will be keeping it in place until enough of the population is vaccinated per CDC recommendations.
“The one thing that they stress the most about where we are in this pandemic is the need to continue to mask as we ramp up these vaccinations,” said Edwards.
Over 1.2 million Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, and 69 percent of Louisianans 65 and older have begun their vaccine series.
Governor Edwards is set to sign the proclamation putting the new order sometime Wendesay. It will expire on April 28th
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