Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana’s COVID public health emergency order but has removed the remaining mitigation measures from the order. Governor Edwards did re-emphasize the recommendations for people to wear masks, particularly around large crowds. It’s something to keep in mind as Mardi Gras and festival season approach.
“When we are in large crowds, and you don’t know whether the people you are with are vaccinated the CDC recommends that we wear masks in those circumstances,” he said. “Especially if that gathering is indoors, and certainly while transmission rates remain high.”
The governor cited the downturn in COVID infections and hospitalizations as reasons for removing the mitigation measures but says that vaccinations and boosters remain the best defense from contracting or experiencing severe symptoms and encourages anyone who has yet to receive the vaccine to do so.
“You are more likely to have a severe case of COVID if you have not been vaccinated,” said Edwards. “And then boosted as well. Whether you have immunity through COVID that you’ve contracted or whether you have it through vaccinations, it does wain over time. And so those boosters are very important.”
The Governor’s current order is set to expire one month from today, though Edwards has said he may end it before then if positive trends continue. Before he does, he is working with his cabinet and other agencies to make sure that any changes do not impede the state’s response to COVID.
“I have directed my office, GOHSEP, the Department of Health, the National Guard, and the Division of Administration to ensure that there aren’t any significant adverse consequences to doing so,” he added.
Local governments, school districts, and businesses may continue to enforce mask mandates as they see fit.
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