Governor John Bel Edwards announced bars in most parishes will remain closed and for those that can open heavy restrictions will be put in place as the state enters Phase Three tonight.
Edwards said a parish must show a two week period with less than five percent positivity before bars can begin a limited reopening.
“We are going to have bars remain closed to on premise consumption in parishes with high instances of COVID-19, and that is a continued recommendation of the White House coronavirus task force,” said Edwards.
Restaurants will be allowed to increase capacity to 75 percent, masks will still be required in businesses, and gathering sizes have been increased.
So far only bars in Orleans, St. John, Bienville, Jeff Davis, and Plaquemines Parish qualify to reopen under state law. Bars in those parishes will have to stop serving by 10 PM and close by 11 PM, and you can’t walk up to the bar to order.
“All drinks will have to be ordered at the table and delivered by bar staff to the table, and all patrons must remain seated,” said Edwards.
No one under 21 will be allowed in any bar, and live music is still prohibited.
Bar capacity will also be highly restricted and social distancing must be enforced.
“Bars will be able to open at 25 percent capacity up to 50 people total indoors. In addition, they may have no more than 50 customers outdoors,” said Edwards.
Edwards said the tight restrictions on bars are the result of the still-high rate of COVID among young people.
Comments