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;
Employees may not work if they have a fever or symptoms;
Customers must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet of separation when shopping or standing in line;
Maximum of 25% occupancy, as determined by code and the certificate of occupancy issued by the fire marshal;
No congregating or groups loitering in or near businesses; and
Customers who have fever or symptoms of the coronavirus must not be allowed inside the building;
Violating businesses may have their power shut off and parish business licenses revoked. Businesses that do not have a way to count customers and determine six feet between shoppers are encouraged to not open until they are able to do so.
The executive order does not apply to restaurants, casinos, video poker establishments, movie theaters, bars, bowling alleys, fitness centers and gyms, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, pool halls, children’s play centers, play grounds, theme parks, all theatres, concerts and music halls, adult entertainment venues, racetracks, barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, spas, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, and all malls, because those businesses cannot maintain social distancing and, therefore, they shall remain closed.
The parish-wide adult and juvenile curfew every day from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains in effect until April 30.