Governor John Bel Edwards says he will likely extend Phase Two restrictions, but exact details are not known. Edwards spoke Tuesday morning with Brian Haldane on Baton Rouge radio station Talk 107.3.
The current Phase 2 order expires Friday and it keeps most businesses at 50% capacity, bars closed, and masks mandatory. Edwards says the start of a new school year is one reason for this decision.
“If you look at the total number of students, faculty, and staff, that is about 25% of our state’s population that for the first time since March are back activated and moving around and coming into contact,” said Edwards.
Edwards says the state will not have the same level of information and data they normally would due to the impact of Marco and Laura on drive-up testing facilities and adds emergency response could result in more viral spread.
“Let’s say, for example, that we have no choice but to do mass transportation and congregate sheltering. That’s another source of potential super spread,” said Edwards.
Edwards says while the state has seen modest gains, the White House Coronavirus Task Force still believes Louisiana’s COVID metrics are a major concern.
“About half of our parishes are still well above 10% on positivity, so yesterday I had a long conversation with Dr. Birx. She called to specifically talk about Louisiana and she expressed some concerns,” said Edwards.
The current order is set to expire on Friday.
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