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Gov Edwards Issues Phase 1 Reopening Proclamation

Courtesy: Shreveport Convention and Tourist Bureau

LOUISIANA REOPENING -- Gov. John Bel Edwards made the Phase 1 reopening of Louisiana official yesterday, allowing some  businesses  to operate for the first time in almost two months since he issued his emergency “Stay-at-Home” orders to reduce community spread of the Coronavirus.  Beginning today these reopenings do come with certain restrictions on occupancy rates, sanitation procedures  and mask requirements.   Appearing at a Live Town Hall yesterday presented by The Advocate News in Baton Rouge, Edwards addressed the Phase 1 opening restrictions  as not ideal but necessary.                                    

"This is certainly not the way I want the state to function but at the same time we have to try manage 

Credit Courtesy: The Advocate
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Courtesy: The Advocate
A BALANCE BETWEEN SAFETY AND THE ECONOMY - Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards explains the reasoning behind his Phase 1 proclamation that places specific guidelines and restrictions allowing some businesses to reopen Friday, May 15, 2020.

and strike  the right balance between the competing priorities of public health on the one hand, the economy on the other," Edwards explained. "We do hope as we can move forward and get through Phase 1 and into Phase that more of the economy can be opened up in a safe way."

Edwards’  proclamation  also extends his suspension on evictions at least through Phase 1 until June 5th.  He also said the state's largest Office of Motor Vehicle locations will reopen by Monday.  Louisiana’s Phase 1 of reopening Friday gives more leeway to restaurants and churches and allows gyms, movie theaters, malls and hair and nail salons to operate with restrictions.   Museums, zoos and aquariums will be allowed to reopen, as will racetracks  but without spectators.     Casinos and video poker parlors will  reopen Monday instead of Friday so operators can get with regulators to have new Phase 1 rules in place before opening their doors.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.