Louisianans should prepare for a COVID-19 Christmas similar to the restrictions and recommendations issued for Thanksgiving, The News Star reports.
Last week Gov. John Bel Edwards pulled the state back into a modified phase two to combat a third surge of the infection in Louisiana. Though Edwards’ latest monthlong order expires Dec. 23, he said it will almost certainly be extended in some form through Christmas and New Year’s Day.
“I don’t want to create the expectation that on Dec. 23 it is likely we’ll reduce restrictions a couple of days before Christmas,” Edwards said last week.
“No one should believe we’ll relax restrictions at that time,” he said. “I just hope, I pray and I believe we won’t have to put in more restrictions on Dec. 23 or before. That’s all going to turn on the degree people across Louisiana embrace the challenge and remain resolute.”
Edwards’ latest order kept the statewide mask mandate in place and reduced occupancy limits for most nonessential businesses to 50%. It also effectively closed most bars that don’t serve food for inside service and reduced the occupancy limits at event centers both inside and outside to 25%.
But Edwards kept the occupancy for churches (75%) and sporting events (25%) at phase three levels.
Opponents like the conservative Pelican Institute for Public Policy say the added restrictions will cost people more jobs. Read the full story.
