Louisiana will re-enter Phase 3 of coronavirus reopening, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday.
Edwards' latest executive order will take effect on Wednesday and be active for 28 days.
“Since we stepped back into more increased restrictions more than three months ago, the goal has been to slow the spread and avoid overwhelming our hospitals, which we have done thanks to the hard work of many Louisianans,” Gov. Edwards said. “These Phase 3 restrictions will keep some common sense and lifesaving limitations in place while we work to continue keeping the case counts down and administering the vaccines to as many Louisianans as quickly as we can."
Under the order, the majority of businesses in Louisiana will be allowed to increase capacity to 75%. Religious services will not have capacity limits moving forward, Edwards added.
A mask mandate will remain in effect and social distancing will continue to be strongly encouraged.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Tuesday afternoon that despite the rest of the state moving into Phase 3 on Wednesday, the city of New Orleans will remain under its current Phase 2 guidelines.