The State of Louisiana will remain in the Phase Two phase of reopening due to the number of COVID-19 cases rising in Louisiana.
“We will not go to Phase Three,” Governor John Bel Edwards said Monday afternoon, June 22, in a press conference.
“We need to do a better job of wearing masks when we are not at home. We need to stay home when we are sick and stay six feet from everyone.”
The governor said the few people who were not abiding by the guidelines may be responsible for 80 percent of those who are testing positive. He said it only takes a few careless people to change the course of this virus, so everyone needed to behave responsibly.
In two weeks, Edwards will review the data on the virus and decide if the state needs to implement more restrictions once again or if it can enter Phase Three. He has extended Phase Two for another 28 days.
Edwards said the state reached two sad milestones on Monday. It surpassed 3,000 deaths and 50,000 positive tests in the state. Thirteen of those deaths were residents under the age of 29. He said some thought the heat and humidity would stop the virus, but that was not happening.
“A lot of people say they are done with this virus, but this virus is not done with us,” Edwards said. The governor urged people to take precautions, to practice social distancing, washing hands and wearing masks when not around members of their household.
The governor’s office said data indicated Louisiana was ranked seventh out of 23 states across the country experiencing an increase in COVID-19 positive cases. Those include the neighboring states of Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
He thanked those who were following the measures issued, and encouraged others to comply.
Reminders
•Business and faith leaders can visit OpenSafely.la.gov to receive guidance and updates from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Health. Businesses that require approval of reopening plans will be notified by the State Fire Marshal’s Office or the Louisiana Department of Health.
•For a guide listing businesses that can be open at any given time, visit gov.louisiana.gov/page/can-this-business-open.
•Members of the public can continue to get information from the Governor’s Office by visiting Coronavirus.la.gov and by texting LACOVID to 67283.
•Members of the public can continue to get information from the Department of Health by visiting ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
•People with general questions about COVID-19 in Louisiana can call 211.
