Governor Edwards Announces Louisiana Will Enter Phase One of Reopening Friday [Details Here]

Louisiana is planning to enter into phase 1 of re-opening Friday, May 15. The new guidelines come after two months of a stay-at-home order was issued. Governor John Bel Edwards detailed the announcement earlier today in a live press conference. 

Phase one draws heavily from White House guidance. Details include restaurants opening to offer dine-in services if they limit indoor table service to 25% of their capacity. Churches, gyms, movie theaters, places of worship hair salons, casinos, zoos, barbershops, nail salons, hair salons, and bars that offer food service, casinos, museums, can also operate at a quarter their normal capacity. These new restrictions will be in place for 21 days, or until June 5. 

Racetracks are allowed to open, but without fans as spectators. Anchor stores can reopen with 25% capacity, but large scale malls will only allow curbside shopping. There are several places still slated to remain closed: Massage & tattoo parlors and spas are among the businesses that will remain closed. 

With this news, New Orleans residents are waiting for tomorrow’s press conference with Mayor Cantrell to see where the city of New Orleans stands. Currently the mayor has stated the city will also re-open starting May 16. 

See all the new guidelines released by Governor Edwards below

• Aquariums: open to the public at 25% of their capacity, with no organized tours and no tactile exhibits.
• Barbers: open at 25% capacity with social distancing.
• Bars: that hold state food service certificate will be able to do or take-out and delivery of food and alcohol and dine-in seating indoor services at 25% of their capacity; outside not crowd size limitations if social distancing practiced. No on-site consumption will be allowed if not seated at State Fire Marshal approved seating.
• All non-essential business and all non-closed businesses: open to the public at 25% of capacity.
• Casinos and video poker: open at no more than 25% of their capacity and gaming positions guidance coming from Gaming Control Board.
• Children’s museums: Remain closed.
• Churches: indoor services at 25% of their capacity; outside not crowd size limitations if social distancing practiced.
• Funerals: indoor services at 25% of their capacity; outside not crowd size limitations if social distancing practiced.
• Gyms and fitness centers: open to the public at 25% of their capacity; guidance coming on social distancing and sanitization.
• Hair salons: open at 25% capacity with social distancing.
• Malls: Anchor stores of shopping malls with exterior doors accessible by the public will be allowed to be open to the public at 25% capacity.
• Massage parlors: Remain closed
• Movie theaters: open to the public at 25% capacity; guidance coming on social distancing and sanitization.
• Museums: open to the public at 25% of their capacity, with no organized tours and no tactile exhibits.
• Nail salons: open at 25% capacity with social distancing.
• Public Amusement locations: Remain closed
• Racetracks: open for races without spectators only if approved by the Louisiana Racing Commission.
• Restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes open for indoor table service at 25% of their capacity; outdoor seating if social distancing practiced.
• Spas: Remain closed
• Tattoo parlors: Remain closed
• Weddings, indoor services at 25% of their capacity; outside not crowd size limitations if social distancing practiced.
• Youth baseball camps: not prohibited in previous orders, allowed with social distancing.
• Youth summer camps: not prohibited in previous orders, allowed with social distancing.
• Zoos: open to the public at 25% of their capacity, with no organized tours and no tactile exhibits.

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H/T: NOLA.COM