Harlan Kirgan
One clue to the future is the state Department of Motor Vehicles office is asking the city to do some work in the city-owned building.
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said DMV has asked for the installation of protective plastic glass to shield its employees.
That may mean the next stage of bringing the economy back may occur after Gov. John Bel Edwards’ extension of the stay-at-home order expires on May 15.
“I think it time we start reopening the economy, but like I’ve been saying we’ve got to be on top of this pandemic because you don’t want to open too fast and the next thing you know they shut down everything again,” Fontenot said.
The city is preparing for a May 15 opening of its offices to the public.
“We are installing some safety glass between some of the office people,” he said.
‘We will look at what the recommendations are as far as employees go. I’m giving my employees a choice if they want to wear a mask or not.”
Masks may become mandatory, he said. “It is kind of a day-to-day thing. A month ago they said don’t wear a mask. Now they say wear a mask. So in a week they might say don’t wear a mask,” he said.
There have been 20 confirmed positive virus cases in Eunice, he said.
“I think we are in better shape than a lot of other areas in the state,” he said.
There has been at least one death in Eunice from the virus that he knows of, he said.
“That’s unfortunate. I wish that we could have went through this without anything happening,” he said.
The city has done its own reopening. Last weekend the city’s lake, golf course and walking park were reopened to the public.
“That went good,” he said.
“It looked like people were abiding the recommendations,” he said.
People were limiting their gatherings. “It looked like people were just out enjoying the day with their family.”
The city is looking at reopening other areas such as tennis courts and other parks, he said.
The target date to open the city’s two splash parks remains Memorial Day weekend, he said.