The reopening of Louisiana following the shut down to fight Covid-19 has a lot of parents asking questions about summer camp, parks, libraries, and more. Louisiana will move to Phase One under the White House COVID-19 guidance this Friday, May 15, which removes the Stay at Home order for Louisianans and allows additional businesses to open under strict occupancy, protection, and social distancing guidelines. People who are at a higher risk of becoming ill from COVID-19 are encouraged to continue to Stay at Home. Below we’re sharing how Louisiana’s phase 1 reopening affects your family.
Gov. Edwards outlined the first phase of the Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana, which adopts every major recommendation of the White House plan in Phase One. Please remember that this plan is subject to change.
How long will Phase 1 last?
Edwards said he will issue the proclamation lifting the stay-home order on Thursday to go into effect Friday. The governor said phase one will likely be in effect for 21 days, into June 5, if the state does not see increases in cases.
Louisiana’s Phase 1 Reopening
- Churches will be able to conduct indoor service at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with continued allowance for additional outdoor seating with SFM guidance on social distancing. In line with this, indoor funerals and weddings may resume indoor at 25% capacity of the building and may continue outdoor services with no crowd size limitation as long as social distancing is practiced.
- Restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes will be able to be open to the public for indoor table service at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with continued allowance for additional outdoor seating with SFM guidance on social distancing.
- Bars that hold an LDH food service certificate will be able to do or take-out and delivery of food and alcohol and dine-in seating in line with State Fire Marshal guidance on social distancing for restaurants, with no more than 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity. No on-site consumption will be allowed if not seated at SFM approved seating.
- Gyms and fitness centers will be allowed to be open to the public at 25% of their capacity. The State Fire Marshal and LDH will be issuing guidance on social distancing and sanitization.
- Stores and shopping malls will be allowed to be open to the public at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity.
- Movie theaters may be open to the public at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with new guidance from SFM and LDH on social distancing and sanitation.
- Museums, zoos, and aquariums may be open to the public at 25% of their capacity, with no organized tours and no tactile exhibits. Children’s museums remain closed.
- Barbers, hair salons, and nail salons may be open to the public at 25% of their capacity with SFM guidance on social distancing.
The following businesses remain closed: massage establishments and spas, tattoo parlors, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, arcades, fairs, bars and breweries without LDH food permits, pool halls, contact sports, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, adult entertainment venues, and other similar businesses.
East Baton Rouge Parish Library
The East Baton Rouge Parish Library will begin a phased re-opening process starting Monday, May 18. “Libraries serve a broad range of needs in our community. Although we are providing service through digital avenues, we are eager to reopen our libraries and provide a broader range of services”, said Library Director Spencer Watts.
While all 14 Library locations will remain closed to the public during Phase 1, the following services will be available:
Beginning Monday, May 18
- Telephone assistance will be expanded to all 14 locations from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2-6 p.m. on Sunday.
- Patrons may call the Library location of their choice to reserve new books and A/V materials for pickup, get assistance accessing Library databases and online resources in the Digital Library, consult staff for reader’s advisory service, discuss their accounts, obtain a computer-use-only card if needed, and more.
- Wi-Fi will remain available outside all 14 locations from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily.
- The Digital Library is always open 24/7 at www.ebrpl.com.
Beginning Wednesday, May 20
- The “Call Ahead / Pick Up Service” will resume. Patrons may reserve new materials online or over the phone, and check them out via the Drive Through/Pick Up windows at the Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., or the Fairwood Branch, 12910 Old Hammond Hwy., or via lobby pickup service at other locations from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2-6 p.m. on Sunday.
- Due dates for all currently checked out Library materials will be extended until Tuesday, June 30. We will begin accepting the return of Library materials at all locations through each location’s exterior return. For the safety of our patrons and staff, returned materials will be quarantined and/or disinfected according to established guidelines before being placed back into circulation
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo has been working diligently to prepare plans for re-opening the facility that properly follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) guidelines. With the modifications listed below, the Zoo plans to re-open for Friends of the Zoo Members only May 18 through May 20 & re-open to the public on May 21. The Zoo will follow normal business hours.
Modifications guests will see in place as additional safeguards include:
- Safari Playground, Cypress Bayou Railroad, L’aquarium de Louisiane, Otter Cabin & Kids’ Zoo Contact Yard may be temporarily closed.
- Keeper chats & amphitheater shows will be temporarily suspended.
- Flamingo Café & Cool Critters Café will be open with a limited menu & properly adjusted outdoor seating.
- The number of guests allowed in the Zoo will be limited to eliminate crowding.
- Constant disinfection of all touchable surfaces will occur in accordance with CDC & LA Department of Health guidance.
- Hand sanitation stations provided at multiple locations throughout the Zoo.
- A one-way path for all visitors will be enacted to avoid passing of guests.
- Installation of protective panels where face-to-face interactions most frequently take place.
- Implementation of barriers near exhibit viewing areas with glass to limit touching.
- Creation of public markers to serve as social distancing reminders.
- Zoo staff will wear face shields.
- Guests are encouraged to wear mask face coverings to protect our staff & animals.
- Protocols will be adjusted as necessary to keep staff, guests and animals safe.
Learn more here!
BREC is entering it’s phase 1 plans with partial reopening. BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center will start adjusted hours Tuesday, May 19th. While the building will be closed, the trails will be open with free admission Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am-noon.
The dog parks at Greenwood, Zachary and Forest Community Parks will reopen with some revised guidelines for your safety on Monday, May 18th! Some guidelines to be aware of:
- Use a glove, waste bag, or grocery bag to open and close the gates and properly dispose of them. Wash/Sanitize your hands. Face masks are recommended for humans.
- Large dog areas are limited to 25 persons inside the dog park fence.
- Small dog areas are limited to 10 persons inside the dog park fence.
- Water fountains will not be available. Bring your own water bottles.
- Site picnic tables and benches will not be available.
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens will be open as of May 18.
Burden Museum & Gardens Reopening Guidelines
- Hours of operation: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Gates will open at 8:00 AM and close at 5:30 PM.
- Visitors to the Rural Life Museum will follow Rural Life Museum Guidelines.
- Visitors to the Botanic Gardens will follow the Botanic Gardens Guidelines.
- Staff that will be greeting or managing visitors are required to wear a mask.
- COVID-19 signage as required by LSU A&M and the LSU AgCenter is posted at the respective entrances to each facility.
- Tour groups and rentals remain postponed until further notice.
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens Guidelines:
- Offices, conference center and Orangerie are closed to the general public.
- The Information Center and restrooms are also closed at this time.
- The Children’s Garden (Pollinator Garden) is closed and roped off with caution tape and signage.
- Grounds will be monitored to ensure proper social distancing.
Louisiana guidelines for child care and summer camps:
The Department of Education and the Department of Health have outlined the next steps for the safe operation of child care centers, as well as summer camps, summer school, and summer extracurricular activities.
Child care centers and entities offering summer programs for K-12 students must adhere to certain protective measures set by the Office of Public Health (OPH), including:
- Social distancing, achieved by maintaining small, static groups that minimally interact with other groups
- Assessing and monitoring students for symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and/or sore throat
- Practicing frequent environmental cleaning and hand-washing.
In Phase 1, groups should be limited to 10 people including adults. For child care centers and entities offering summer school, camps, or extracurricular activities, the occupancy rates currently approved for the facility apply. Adjusted occupancy rates are not applicable, as these entities must adhere to strict social distancing and other health and safety measures specific to child care and summer school or camp settings.
Gov. Edwards encourages the public and business owners to proceed cautiously and to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, including wearing a protective face covering like a cloth mask when they are in public, keeping social distance from people outside of their households, and practicing good hygiene.
More posts you might find helpful:
- Where to purchase masks In Baton Rouge and beyond
- How To Boost Your Immune System Against Coronavirus, Flu & Cold
- Introducing Baton Rouge Virtual Playdates – Join us for some virtual fun!
- Family Night at the Museum – 12 Famous Museums With Virtual Tours
- Kids are home from school for a month, now what?
- When Social Distancing Cancels Your Kid’s Birthday Party
- Social Distancing Day in the Life – With the Whole Family Home