COVID-19 is rapidly spreading throughout the state and Orleans parish has the sixth-highest rate of known coronavirus cases of any county in the U.S. In order to keep the virus contained, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a mandatory stay at home order for Orleans parish. In agreeing with the New Orleans mayor, the Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued his own Stay at Home Order.
Edwards urges Louisiana residents to remain home and limit going out unless necessary. This means no going to work unless they are providing essential services, no visiting friends and family if there is no urgent need, no gathering in groups of more than 10, no visiting loved ones in hospitals, nursing homes or other residential care facilities and making sure your six feet away from others when going out.
This order will take in effect at 5p.m on Monday March 23rd and the state is working with local law enforcement to support the order.
Both Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards agree that this virus should be taken seriously and practice “social distancing.”
The Stay at Home order is in place until the morning of Monday, April 13, which is when schools are scheduled to re-open. Governor Edwards will re-evaluate the order before it expires to make sure that it doesn’t need to be restricted.
YOU CAN
- Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
- Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first)
- Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
- Care for or support a friend or family member
- Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others.
- Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian if necessary
- Help someone to get necessary supplies
- Receive deliveries from any business which delivers
YOU SHOULD NOT
- Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
- Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
- Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
- Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites.
Examples of Essential Worker Functions under the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines include:
- Healthcare workers and caregivers
- Mental health and Social Service workers
- Pharmacy employees
- Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail sales of food and beverage products
- Restaurant carryout and quick-serve food operations and food delivery employees
- Farmworkers
- Electricity and Utility Industry Employees
- Critical Manufacturing Employees (medical supply chains, energy, transportation, food, chemicals)
- Petroleum, Natural and Propane Gas Workers
- Transportation and Logistics Workers
- Communications and Information Technology Employees
View full list here
Remember to
- Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)
- Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
- Only go out for essential services
- Stay six feet or more away from others
- Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze
- Don’t gather in groups
The Governor’s office is constantly updating its website at gov.louisiana.gov, as is the Louisiana Department of Health at ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus. You can also call 211 for general information about COVID-19 and to get connected to help and resources.