Governor John Bel Edwards issues stay-at-home order to stem coronavirus spread

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a statewide stay-at-home order beginning at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, for non-essential workers and businesses to stem the spread of coronavirus.

"The bottom line is we're in a race against time," said Edwards, whose order will be in place through at least April 12.

Edwards' order also prevents gatherings of 10 or more.

Many businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies and banks will be exempt from the order.

Early learning centers and child care facilities adhering to the guidance issued by the Louisiana Department of Education and Office of Public Health may continue to operate.

As of March 22, Louisiana has 837 confirmed cases in 36 parishes with 20 deaths. Edwards said the health department will begin updating the state's number of cases and deaths once daily at noon after previously updating twice a day. Those updates can be found at ldh.la.gov.

Most of the cases (451) and deaths (15) are in Orleans Parish, which has been identified by President Trump's coronavirus task force as one of the nation's hotbeds of infection. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a stay at home order Friday for her city.

All public schools and many businesses like bars and gyms in Louisiana were already closed by previous executive orders, but Sunday's order will expand the closures.

"It's a difficult decision and I do not take the action lightly," Edwards said. "We have to act fast."

Edwards cited a University of Louisiana at Lafayette study saying Louisiana's infection rate "is the fastest growth rate in the world" and that Louisiana is No. 3 in per capita cases behind only New York and Washington state.

The governor said one model shows if the current rate of infection continues Louisiana could exceed its capacity to care for patients who are most ill in seven to 10 days.

"That's why it's urgent we take this action today," he said. "We can get past this, but we have to take these mitigation measures seriously."

Edwards said he expects the state to increase its intensive care unit capacity by 200 beds in the next two weeks.

Governors in Illinois, California and New York have already issued similar orders.

Edwards said all state government offices will be closed to the public but government will continue to operate. He said state workers will receive direct guidance from his administration.

Businesses affected by Louisiana's stay-at-home order

Following are businesses that must close under the new order that can be found at la.gov.

All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, pool halls, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, any theaters, concert and music halls, adult entertainment venues, racetracks and other similar businesses.

All personal care and grooming businesses, including but not limited to, barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, spas, massage parlors, tattoo parlors and other similar businesses.

All malls, except for stores in a mall that have a direct outdoor entrance and exit that provide essential services and products as provided by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines.

Businesses closed to the public as listed in the order can conduct necessary activities such as payroll, cleaning services, maintenance or upkeep as necessary.

Workers exempt from the stay-at-home order

Following are workers who are exempt from the order:

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

Farm workers

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

Financial Services and Banking Industry Employees

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.