An indoor mask mandate will once again be in effect statewide as Louisiana fights the fourth surge of COVID-19, fueled by the delta variant.
Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday that the mandate will be effective starting on Wednesday and will last through September 1, at minimum. It includes all residents ages 5 and up, regardless of vaccination status.
Edwards says everyone needs to mask up and get a COVID-19 vaccine to help combat the spread of COVID-19 as the delta variant is highly contagious.
“It has never been more clear that we are in an unchecked COVID surge that, in addition to threatening the health and wellbeing of many Louisianans, also threatens the capacity of our hospitals and medical facilities to deliver care to their patients," said Edwards.
According to the Governor's office, Louisiana is currently #1 in the country for new COVID-19 cases per capita.
On top of the spread of COVID-19, state hospitals are dealing with a spike in patients being treated for the coronavirus plus staffing shortages.
"We have the tools we need to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and save lives, and I am pleading with unvaccinated Louisianans to get their shot as soon as they can to protect themselves. We can end this nightmare, but it is going to take all of us working together to do it," said the Governor.
More details on the latest statewide mask mandate can be found here.