Louisiana's Changing Stay-at-Home Orders

Citizens should take time to read and listen to all updates from the governor about the Coronavirus and take them seriously. One of the recent reports showed there were 29,140 cases in Louisiana; 1,950 total deaths, and 17,303 people total presumed to have recovered. Those numbers are realistic and probably, have increased since the printing of this article.

We all have to go out to work (if we are fortunate enough to have employment), keep essential medical appointments that cannot be completed through telehealth methods, and get groceries along with other necessities to maintain our households. We do not have to gather on corners, in yards, or hang out in familiar places.

The Monroe Police Department has been extremely lenient with everyone by refraining from making arrests when people go away from home for non-essential reasons.

Ouachita Parish is at the top of the list for most cases in Louisiana. This indicates that we are out and about far too much and not staying at home. It also means we are congregating too much and too close. We must keep a safe distance from each other, at least 6-feet apart.

Three noteworthy changes in the new Stay-at-Home Order until May 15 include: malls will remain closed to the public, but stores may open for curbside delivery; restaurants will be allowed to serve food in outside areas for patrons to eat meals only, without tableside services; and all employees of a business who have contact with the public must wear a mask or face covering.

Additionally, both the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health strongly urge everyone to wear masks or face coverings when in public.