Edwards: Statewide mask mandate, other restrictions take effect on Monday

Louisiana adds over 2,000 new cases for second day; Lafourche and Terrebonne leaders share a few new details
July 11, 2020
Gov. Edwards Orders Statewide Mask Mandate, Closes Bars to On Premises Consumption as COVID-19 Continues to Spread Across Louisiana
July 11, 2020
Louisiana adds over 2,000 new cases for second day; Lafourche and Terrebonne leaders share a few new details
July 11, 2020
Gov. Edwards Orders Statewide Mask Mandate, Closes Bars to On Premises Consumption as COVID-19 Continues to Spread Across Louisiana
July 11, 2020

Governor Edwards has announced that masks will be mandated for everyone ages 8 and older, starting on Monday.

 

Parishes may opt out of this if they don’t have a high incidence rate. (Grant, Red River and West Feliciana parishes currently meet this requirement.)


 

You may be exempt from wearing a mask if:

  • you have a major health concern that makes wearing a mask difficult. (It is important to note these individuals should also be considered high risk, and should be staying home.);
  • you are consuming food or drink;
  • you are speaking to a crowd or broadcast;
  • you are communicating with someone who has a hearing or speech impediment.

 

While it is not mandatory, it is recommended the children ages 2 to 7 also wear masks.

 

This mandate is effective indoors and outdoors, where you cannot social distance.


 

Other restrictions that will be in our state include:

 

• Bars, food service or not, will be closed to on-site sales. They MAY still have curbside sales.

 

• Indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people total.


 

Changes will be effective on Monday, July 13.

 

Louisiana will stay in Phase 2 through July 24.

 

As of noon today, there have been 76,803 cases reported; 3,295 deaths and 1182 COVID-19 patients in hospitals (121 on ventilators).


 

Yesterday, Louisiana reported 2,642 new cases — the highest ever. Positivity results of tests are over 10 percent. We have completed 195,536 tests so far in July. Case growth has eclipsed; we are number 3 in the country.

 

“Current restrictions are not enough,” said Governor Edwards. “We cannot risk losing our capacity to provide life-saving health care.”