LA COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS EASED - Starting this Wednesday -- Louisiana’s bars can reopen indoors, restaurants can hold more customers and churches won’t have capacity limits for worship services. Yesterday afternoon Gov. John Bel Edwards explained why he has loosened the restrictions.
"All of the gating criteria that we typically look at, percent-positivity cases and hospitalizations are much better than they were for example on January the 8th which was the worst point in any surge thus far in Louisiana," Edwards said.
Edwards said Louisiana’s Covid-19 infection percent-positivity rate and hospitalizations are at about one-third of their highest point. He did say however that Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate will remain. Beginning Wednesday Louisiana Restaurants, salons, movie theaters and other nonessential businesses can move to 75% capacity. But gyms, which will stay at 50% capacity. Bars will be able offer inside service at 25% of their occupancy limit, with a maximum of 250 people.
"There are multiple (Covid) variants out and about across the country and here in Louisiana," Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana
While Governor Edwards outlined Louisiana’s progress in lowering Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths, he did point out there are still reasons to use safe practices such as mask wearing and social distancing.
"There are multiple variants out and about across the country and here in Louisiana," Edwards said. "Principally the one that we detected most frequently is the UK variant which is more easily transmitted. And it also pursuant to at least some data that we have, it's more likely to lead to worse outcomes meaning serious Covid hospitalization and death."
