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Gov Edwards Partially Lifts Statewide Mask Mandate

Courtesy: Chuck Smith / Red River Radio News

LA MASK MANDATE — Gov. John Bel Edwards is partially lifting Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate enacted to combat the coronavirus outbreak.  But the Democratic governor announced yesterday that he's limiting the face covering requirement to schools, hospitals, clinics and other specific locations.
 

"It's not an end to recommendations that people wear masks especially if they're vulnerable, if they're unvaccinated or if they live with people who are vulnerable and unvaccinated." Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards

Credit Courtesy: LPB
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Courtesy: LPB
Governor John Bel Edwards announced the lifting of the statewide mask mandate to go in effect Wednesday 04.28.21.

"And just like other states that have lifted the mask mandates, it's not an end to mask wearing," Edwards said. "It's not an end to recommendations that people wear masks especially if they're vulnerable, if they're unvaccinated or if they live with people who are vulnerable and unvaccinated."

Edwards's decision to roll back the mask mandate he enacted in July is at odds with the recommendations of President Joe Biden’s administration.  But it puts him more in line with other Southern state leaders. The new rules starting Wednesday will require people in Louisiana to wear masks on public transit and in health care facilities, daycare centers , K-12 schools, colleges and some state buildings.  Local officials can enact their own mandates, and Edwards said local business owners can still require mask wearing by customers.

LOUISIANA DEPT. OF HEALTH MASK-WEARING GUIDANCE

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.