Governor Edwards issues a statewide shelter in place order, and calls for the closure of all “non-essential” businesses in Louisiana saying drastic measures are needed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The order does not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, or hospitals, and allows for restaurants to serve takeout or drive-through meals, but Edwards says for individuals the restrictions are more comprehensive.
“You should not go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this order, visit friends and family if there is no urgent need, and maintain less than six feet of distance between you and others when you go out,” says Edwards.
A complete listing of ordered closures is available here.
There will be no checkpoints or enforcement of travel restrictions, but the Governor is asking people to be good neighbors and follow the order, or we will see an untenable spike in cases.
“Behave as if you know you have the coronavirus. Self-isolate, keep those distances, don’t engage in unnecessary contact with others, and certainly don’t do it with those who are in a high-risk group,” says Edwards.
Daily updates on positive tests and reported deaths will also now be given once a day at 12 PM, instead of the twice-daily updates that have been issued over the last week.
Edwards says two weeks ago we had zero COVID-19 cases. One week ago we had 91 confirmed cases. As of Sunday 837 confirmed cases and twenty deaths, a ten times increase in seven days.
“Study out the University of Louisiana at Lafayette: We have the fastest growth rate in confirmed cases in the world right here in Louisiana,” says Edwards.
COVID-19 cases have been found in 36 parishes.
Edwards says he’s counting on Louisianans even in parts of the state without a large confirmed number of cases to be unselfish and follow the order or we will replicate Italy’s deadly outcome.
“They thought they could just focus on that part of the country where the outbreak was heaviest and what the world learned as a result is that you have to act fast and in places that may not look like they have a problem,” says Edwards.
The order takes effect Monday at 5 PM and runs through April 12th.
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