Louisiana Extends Statewide Stay-At-Home Order While Loosening Business Restrictions

Governor Jon Bel Edwards just extended Louisiana’s statewide stay-at-home order through May 15 while also providing a lifeline to some businesses that can immediately start the slow process of reopening. The order was set to expire on April 30, but Governor Edwards believes the state does not meet the criteria set forth by the federal government to fully begin to re-open. What do employers need to know about the stay-at-home order that remains in effect and this latest development?

Restaurants And Malls Allowed To Resume Limited Business

Details about the now-extended stay-at-home order can be found here. However, the governor just modified the order to loosen some of the current restrictions for businesses.

• Restaurants may allow customers who order take out to dine in outdoor eating areas as long as table service is not provided.
• Malls will also be allowed to operate curbside retail services, having been closed since the stay at home order was issued on March 23.

Once the stay-at-home order expires on May 16, many businesses currently closed will be allowed to operate again at a reduced 25% occupancy. However, the details for many of those businesses, such as restaurants, are still being worked out.

Facemasks Now Required

While the new order loosened some restrictions, it enacted new measures. Governor Edwards mandated that all public-facing employees wear face masks, having previously encouraged the practice of wearing masks when in public areas. 

What Should Employers Do?

As you begin the process of reopening, you should familiarize yourself with our alert: 5 Steps To Reopen Your Workplace, According To CDC’s Latest Guidance. You should also keep handy our 4-Step Plan For Handling Confirmed COVID-19 Cases When Your Business Reopens in the event you learn of a positive case at your workplace. For a more thorough analysis of the many issues you may encounter from a labor and employment perspective, we recommend you review our FP BEYOND THE CURVE: Post-Pandemic Back-To-Business FAQs For Employers and our FP Resource Center For Employers.

Conclusion

Fisher Phillips will continue to monitor the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation and provide updates as appropriate. Make sure you are subscribed to Fisher Phillips’ Alert System to get the most up-to-date information. For further information, contact your Fisher Phillips attorney, any attorney in our New Orleans office, or any member of our Post-Pandemic Strategy Group Roster.

This Legal Alert provides an overview of a specific developing situation. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal advice for any particular fact situation.