CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Gov. John Bel Edwards Issues Statewide Shelter-In-Place Order

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards announced that he has issued a statewide “shelter-in-place” order in response to the Coronavirus crisis in Louisiana.

The Governor’s order takes effect Monday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m. and runs through Sunday, April 12.
Under Governor Edwards’ directive, essential businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and gas stations, will remain operational and open for business. Restaurants will also be able to stay open for takeout and drive thru orders. To see the full guidance of which specific businesses and workers are classified as essential by the Governor’s order, click HERE.

The directive also allows companies that are closed to still engage in necessary business activities such as payroll, cleaning, and routine maintenance and upkeep.

For businesses not specifically mentioned in the full guidance from the Governor’s order – if they have not already ordered to close, they must reduce operations to essential employees, put measures in place to ensure minimal contact with customers, and follow the guidelines on social distancing and limiting groups to no more than 10 people.

To read the Governor’s entire proclamation, click HERE.

For more information, visit the Coronavirus page on the Governor’s Office website.

Recommendations for Businesses

As you look to pass accurate information to your workers and make important decisions regarding business operations, a good place to start is with the CDC’s recommended business strategies, which include:

1. Actively encourage sick employees to stay home.
2. Separate sick employees.
3. Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees.
4. Perform routine environmental cleaning.
5. Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps.

For more information, see below or visit the website of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, a LABI member company, for a variety of other resources, fact sheets and fliers regarding COVID-19 including:

Information from Louisiana Workforce Commission

While Caronavirus is confirmed in only 10 parishes, the impacts will be felt statewide. The Louisiana Workforce Commission has provided guidelines and information regarding unemployment insurance for employers and workers affected by the crisis.

To see LWC’s guidance for workers, click HERE
To see LWC’s guidance for employers, click HERE

For more information regarding LWC’s operations and procedures during this time, visit their Coronavirus website.

Information from La. Department of Health

With 114 cases of coronavirus confirmed across 10 parishes (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Caddo, St. Charles, Lafourche, St. Bernard, Terrebonne, Bossier, and St. John the Baptist) the Louisiana Department of Health has resources available for the business community.

To see LDH’s Guidance for Business and Employers, click HERE

In addition, LDH has also made some printable items available that can be placed around your place of business and company facilities.

For more information, visit LDH’s Coronavirus website or you can call the Louisiana 211 Network by dialing 211. In addition, you can text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for regular text updates from LDH on the coronavirus in our state.

Information from US Chamber

Given the nationwide scope of this challenge, our partners in Washington at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) have made resources available for American businesses and workers:

Disaster Assistance