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Gov. Edwards Extends Phase 2 Restrictions To August 28th

Courtesy: Chuck Smith / Red River Radio News
Credit Courtesy: Chuck Smith / Red River Radio News
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Courtesy: Chuck Smith / Red River Radio News

THREE MORE WEEKS - Governor John Bel Edwards announced yesterday that even though Louisiana has seen some progress regarding Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, he'll continue Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate and the business restrictions he enacted to combat the coronavirus outbreak for the time being.  The Covid-19 mitigation rules were set to expire this Friday but will continue until August 28th.  Edwards explained there are fewer people showing up at Hospital Emergency Rooms with Covid-19 symptoms."The number of cases that we're reporting everyday is beginning to come down also," Edwards explained.  "Hospitalizations , at least at the state level are beginning to reduce slightly  basically and plateau. And there are a few regions that are still seeing increased hospitalizations but for the state as a whole they're coming down I think down by more than a hundred over the last several days." 

Governor John Bel Edwards gives a Covid-19 update press conference on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Credit Courtesy: LPB
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Courtesy: LPB
Governor John Bel Edwards gives a Covid-19 update press conference on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

  LAWSUITS PENDING - There have been several lawsuits trying to get some of Edwards’ mandate thrown out as overstepping his authority.  Four Jefferson Parish residents are asking a State District Judge to declare the Governor’s  statewide mask mandate and bar restrictions  rules  null and void and prohibit the Democratic governor from enforcing them. Edwards’ original order requiring the masks, banning indoor gatherings above 50 people and limiting bars to takeout and delivery  has resulted in some businesses getting cited by the State Fire Marshall’s Office—those filing the lawsuits say it’s unconstitutional.

 

The governor's decision  to Extend Phase 2 restrictions to 21 more days comes as Edwards joined the leaders of Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Virginia in announcing an interstate compact to buy 3 million rapid-use coronavirus tests.

Governor John Bel Edwards has decided to extend his Phase 2 reopening restrictions for three more weeks to August 28th pending outcomes of Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths in Louisiana.

Copyright 2020 Red River Radio

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' experience to Red River Radio having started out as a radio news reporter and moving into television journalism as a newsmagazine producer / host, talk-show moderator, programming director and managing producer and news director / anchor for commercial, public broadcasting and educational television. He has more recently worked in advertising, marketing and public relations as a writer, video producer and media consultant. In pursuit of higher learning, Chuck studied Mass Communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.