LABI President Stephen Waguespack
LABI President Stephen Waguespack issued the following statement on Gov. John Bel Edwards’ extension of the current “Stay at Home” order:
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy
Though some of his fellow Republicans want Louisiana’s economy reopened May 1, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Friday that data should drive those decisions.
“If your transmission rate is below a certain level, then you can safely open up,” he said. “If your transmission rate is above a certain level, you cannot.”
Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced he will extend Louisiana’s Stay at Home order until May 15 to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19. Louisiana does not currently meet the White House criteria for entering Phase One of reopening.
The following is news release from the state Department of Health.
A news conference was held Monday to announce a St. Landry Parish Government executive order allowing the opening of "gray area" business on Tuesday. The conference was held at the St. Landry Economic Development Building in Opelousas. At the lectern is Bill Rodier, St. Landry Economic Development director. At left is Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot and at right is Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor. In the red shirt is Arnaudville Mayor Todd Meche. (Photo courtesy of Van Reed, St. Landry Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness director)
An executive order signed Monday by St. Landry Parish Government enacted a “Safe Shop” policy for “gray area” businesses in the parish to go into effect Tuesday.
The order allows businesses that are not deemed essential or prohibited under the Gov. John Bel Edwards’ existing orders to reopen.
“Gray Area” businesses are defined as smaller retail shops, furniture stores, clothing stores and jewelry stores.
Safe Shop businesses are authorized to be open and to operate subject to the following conditions:
All employees must wear masks;
Unemployment rates in the Tri-Parish area and state rose by about 2% in March compared to the rates a year ago, according to Bureau of Labor statistics released Friday by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
The report reflects the impact of the coronavirus CLOVID-19 on the job market in the state.
The state’s jobless rate in March in the not seasonally adjusted statistics was 6.1%, up from 4.1% in March 2019. The February rate was 4.3%.
In St. Landry Parish, the March unemployment rate was 7.9%, up from 5.4% in March 2019 and 5.8% in February.
465 Aymond St.
Eunice, LA 70535
Phone: 337-457-3061
Fax: 337-457-3122