By Baptist Message staff
BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in a modified version Phase 2 for at least three more weeks, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
The current phase was set to expire Wednesday, Feb. 10, but now will be extended for another 21 days.
During his news conference, Edwards said while the state has seen COVID-19 rates dropping which is a positive, the possibility of another surge in cases associated with the new U.K. variant of the virus and the approaching Mardi Gras holiday has caused some concern by state health officials.
“There has been some progress over the last month or so,” he said. “And we are very, very thankful for that. The fact of the matter is the baseline numbers remain very high and concerning.”
He asked Louisianans to continue wearing masks, observe proper social distancing measures and avoid social gatherings.
“I am very hopeful when we next announce the new proclamation that we will be able to ease some restrictions if we continue on the path that we currently are,” he said. “So I encourage people to do your part. Be a good neighbor.”
Under the order that is in effect until March 3, attendance at churches will continue to be limited to 75 percent of a worship center’s seating capacity and businesses including restaurants, gyms and non-essential retailers will be limited to 50 percent capacity. A statewide mask mandate also remains in place for anyone eight years or older or with a major health condition.
Social gatherings will be limited to 25 percent capacity and no more than 75 people indoors and 150 outdoors when physical distancing is not possible.
