Gov. John Bel Edwards has announced the state can move to phase two of a staged reopening beginning June 5.
Edwards’ announcement, made moments ago at a news conference at the Capitol, was not unexpected, given the continued decline in the state of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.
Still, the move marks a major victory for businesses that have been operating for the past two weeks under phase one regulations at limited capacity, if at all.
It is not immediately clear what exactly will be allowed under phase two guidelines. Edwards said he feels comfortable moving to the next phase based on trends statewide but that the pandemic threat to Louisiana is far from over.
“I’m pleased to report we are seeing signs of progress,” Edwards said. “Louisiana is heading in the right direction but there is still a lot of COVID in Louisiana. We still have work to do and still have restrictions that have to be in place. We’re not going to be fully back to normal for some time.”
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