Documenting Louisiana's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Scroll here for more articles
Documenting America's Path.png
Louisiana coronavirus coverage
Debate in Louisiana
Louisiana government responses
School reopenings in Louisiana
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Louisiana's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

August 2021

  • August 3: On Aug. 2, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) reinstated the indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals through at least Sept. 1.

July 2021

  • July 27: On Friday, July 23, the Louisiana Department of Health issued updated guidance recommending all residents wear face coverings indoors when six feet of physical distancing is not possible.

June 2021

  • June 22: Registration for the Shot At A Million vaccination incentive program opened June 21 for all residents with at least one dose of a vaccine. The state will hold weekly drawings to give away $100,000 cash prizes and $100,000 scholarships starting July 14. On Aug. 4, the state will select a grand prize winner of $1 million. For a drawing schedule and more information, click here.
  • June 18: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced the Shot At A Million vaccination incentive program. The state will have weekly drawings to give away $100,000 cash prizes and $100,000 scholarships. On Aug. 4, the state will select a grand prize winner of $1 million. Residents with at least one dose of a vaccine can enter to win starting June 21. For a drawing schedule and more information, click here.

May 2021

  • May 26: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced all remaining limits on bars, live music venues, and other state-defined large events and gatherings are ending May 26. Edwards also said the state will stop requiring masks in schools after the 2020-2021 academic year. Local school districts will be able to set their own rules.
  • May 6: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announcedresidents can access digital proof of vaccination through LA Wallet—the state’s digital driver’s license app. The feature is optional and is not digitally connected to a person’s driver’s license or ID card. Louisiana’s current health order does not contain looser restrictions for vaccinated residents, but the state does not have an order or legislation prohibiting state agencies or private businesses from requiring proof of vaccination for services.

April 2021

  • April 28: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued an order easing mitigation requirements and lifting the statewide public mask requirement effective April 28. The order lifts outdoor capacity limits for theaters, event spaces, and outdoor events (like festivals, fairs, and sporting events). The same facilities and events can have 75% capacity indoors with social distancing or 100% capacity indoors with masks required. For live music events (like at bars and restaurants), the new order requires 10 feet of space between the stage and the audience, and attendees have to be seated. Masks are still required on public transit, in state government buildings, at K-12 schools, at early childhood education centers, at colleges and universities, and at healthcare facilities. State agencies outside of the governor’s cabinet can choose to opt out of the remaining mask requirements. Businesses can still require patrons to wear masks.

March 2021

  • March 31: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) lifted some mitigation measures on March 31. Six-foot social distancing and mask-wearing are still required in all businesses, but most businesses (including restaurants, bars, gyms, malls, salons, and casinos) no longer have capacity limits. Bars and restaurants can serve alcohol with no curfew. Businesses and venues (like reception halls) that host large gatherings will be limited to 50% capacity, with an indoor limit of 500 people. Indoor and outdoor sporting events are limited to 50% capacity.
  • March 29: All residents 16 and older are eligiblefor vaccinations starting March 29. Previously, anyone 65 and older, or 16 and older with a state-defined essential job or underlying conditions, was eligible for the vaccine.
  • March 25: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announcedall residents 16 and older will be eligible for vaccinations starting March 29. Currently, anyone 65 and older, or 16 and older with a state-defined essential job or underlying conditions, is eligible for the vaccine.
  • March 22: All state-defined essential workers (including grocery store and food service employees, manufacturing and construction workers, and higher education faculty and staff) are eligiblefor vaccinations starting March 22. To see a full list of who is eligible, click here.
  • March 10: On March 9, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) expanded vaccine eligibility to anyone age 16 years or older with state-defined high-risk conditions (including anyone overweight, with asthma, or with type 1 diabetes). Congregate living staff can also get vaccines, including prison guards, group home staff, and homeless shelter workers.
  • March 3: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed an order moving the state from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of reopening and extending the statewide mask mandate. Phase 3 allows bars in all parishes to reopen at 25% capacity with a maximum of 250 people. If a parish maintains 5% positivity or lower for two consecutive weeks, bars in the parish can expand to 50% capacity. Alcohol sales still have to end at 11 p.m. Places of worship no longer have capacity limits. Most other businesses (including restaurants and salons) can expand their capacity to 75%. Indoor and outdoor event gatherings are allowed at 50% capacity. Indoor events are limited to a maximum of 250 people, and there is no maximum for outdoor events as long as social distancing is possible. The order is set to remain in effect through March 31.

February 2021

  • February 22: School staff and people ages 55-64 with certain high-risk health conditions are eligible for vaccination starting Feb. 22. Qualifying conditions include cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women of all ages are also eligible.
  • February 10: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended the state’s modified Phase 2 reopening through March 3. The modified phase limits restaurants, retailers, gyms, personal care businesses, and movie theaters to 50% capacity. Bars must close indoor service if their parish has a positivity rate greater than 5%. Bars that are permitted to open for indoor service are limited to 25% capacity. All indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25% capacity or a maximum of 75 people indoors or 150 people outdoors.
  • February 8: Individuals age 65 and older are eligible for the vaccine starting Feb. 8. Previously, appointments were limited to individuals age 70 and older.

January 2021

  • January 13: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended the state’s modified Phase 2 reopening until Feb. 10. The modified phase limits restaurants, retailers, gyms, personal care businesses, and movie theaters to 50% capacity. Bars must close indoor service if their parish has a positivity rate greater than 5%. Bars that are permitted to open are limited to 25% capacity. All indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25% capacity or a maximum of 75 people indoors or 150 people outdoors.
  • January 4: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced the state is starting Phase 1-B of the vaccine distribution plan on Jan. 4. Vaccines are available by appointment at participating pharmacies to individuals over the age of 70 and most healthcare workers not covered in Phase 1-A.

December 2020

  • December 23: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended the state’s modified Phase 2 reopening through Jan. 13, 2021. The modified phase limits restaurants, retailers, gyms, personal care businesses, and movie theaters to 50% capacity. Bars must close indoor service if their parish has a positivity rate greater than 5%. Bars that are permitted to open are limited to 25% capacity. All indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25% capacity or a maximum of 75 people indoors or 150 people outdoors.
  • December 7: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order through Dec. 23.

November 2020

  • November 30: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) moved the state backward from Phase 3 to a modified Phase 2 reopening, effective Nov. 25. Under the new restrictions, restaurants, retailers, gyms, personal care businesses, and movie theaters are limited to 50% capacity. Bars must close indoor service if their parish has a positivity rate greater than 5%. Bars that are permitted to open are limited to 25% capacity. All indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25% capacity or a maximum of 75 people indoors or 150 people outdoors.
  • November 6: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended Phase Three of the state’s reopening plan through Dec. 4.

October 2020

  • October 30: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) filed a lawsuit to strike down the state House of Representatives’ petition to suspend his emergency order (including mask mandates and business restrictions) for seven days. Louisiana law requires the governor to lift an emergency order if a majority of members in either chamber of the state’s legislature file a petition to rescind the order (a majority in Louisiana’s House is 53 members). Gov. Edwards said the law allowing the legislature to overturn an executive order by petition is unconstitutional. We will continue to provide updates in future editions as information becomes available.
  • October 23:
    • Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) amended the state’s coronavirus emergency order to allow high school sports in outdoor stadiums to expand capacity to 50% from 25% in parishes with a two-week average positivity of less than five percent.
    • Republicans in the state House of Representatives filed a petition that could suspend Gov. Edwards’ emergency order (including mask mandates and business restrictions) for seven days if it takes effect. Louisiana law requires the governor to lift an emergency order if a majority of members in either chamber of the state’s legislature file a petition to rescind the order (a majority in Louisiana’s House is 53 members). Gov. Edwards said the law allowing the legislature to overturn an executive order by petition is unconstitutional, so the matter is expected to go to court. We will provide an update in a future edition when more information is available.
  • October 9: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended Phase Three of the state’s reopening plan through Nov. 6.
  • October 1: Iberia and St. Martin parishes met the state’s positivity rate requirements to reopen bars.

September 2020

  • September 23: Jefferson Parish met state requirements to reopen bars starting Sept. 23.
  • September 18: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced bars, restaurants, and casinos can extend on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages to 11 p.m. in parishes where bars are allowed to reopen. The order takes effect Sept. 18.
  • September 14: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) held a press conference to discuss the state’s Phase 3 reopening order, which took effect Sept. 11. Bel Edwards said bars in the state can reopen at 25% capacity with a maximum of 50 people if their parish’s positivity rate remains at or below 5% for 14 days. Restaurants, churches, salons, spas, and gyms are allowed to expand their capacity to 75%. The statewide mask requirement remains in effect. The Phase 3 order expires Oct. 9.
  • September 11: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) held a press conference to discuss Phase 3 reopening details for the state. We will have more information in our Sept. 14 newsletter.
  • September 10: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced the state will enter a modified Phase 3 of reopening, starting Sept. 11. Bel Edwards said final details will not be available until Sept. 11. The state entered Phase 2 on June 5.

August 2020

  • August 28: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan, including the statewide mask mandate, 50-person indoor gathering size limit, and statewide bar closure to on-premises consumption, through Sept. 11.
  • August 26: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced he will extend Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan, including the statewide mask mandate, 50-person indoor gathering size limit, and statewide bar closure to on-premises consumption, through at least Sept. 11.
  • August 7: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan, the statewide mask mandate, 50-person indoor gathering size limit, and statewide bar closure to on-premises consumption through at least Aug. 28.
  • August 5: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced he will extend Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan through Aug. 28, including the statewide mask mandate. The current order is scheduled to end on Aug. 7.

July 2020

  • July 24: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan through Aug. 7, including the statewide mask mandate.
  • July 22: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced he will extend Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan through August 7.
  • July 15: The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously to approve reopening guidelines proposed by Superintendent Cade Brumley. The guidelines include a requirement for all adults and students in grades 3 through 12 to wear face coverings.
  • July 13: On July 11, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued an executive proclamation establishing a statewide face-covering requirement. Effective July 13, individuals in Louisiana are required to wear face coverings when in any indoor or outdoor public space. The order exempts children under the age of eight, as well as individuals with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing face coverings. The order allows parishes to opt out if they have maintained a COVID-19 incidence rate of fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people for the past two weeks. Edwards also ordered the closure of bars statewide to on-premises consumption (carry-out and curbside service remain available) and limited gatherings to 50 people or fewer. The order will last through at least July 24, at which point it could be extended.

June 2020

  • June 23: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended the state’s Phase Two order for 28 days, citing a rise in coronavirus cases.
  • June 19: On June 17, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said state superintendent of education Cade Brumley would issue guidance within 10 to 14 days on reopening public schools in the fall.
  • June 5: Louisiana moves into Phase 2 of its reopening plan on June 5. In Phase 2, the following businesses are allowed to reopen at 50% capacity: restaurants and coffee shops; shopping malls; gyms and fitness centers; barbershops and nail salons; movie theaters; racetracks (without spectators); museums, zoos, and aquariums; bars and breweries with food permits; massage services; spas; tattoo parlors; esthetician services; pool halls, bowling alleys, and skating rinks; event centers and wedding venues; and outdoor playgrounds and play centers. Phase 2 will last at least 21 days.
  • June 2: On June 1, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced the state would move into Phase 2 of its reopening plan, effective June 5. In Phase 2, the following businesses will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity: restaurants and coffee shops; shopping malls; gyms and fitness centers; barbershops and nail salons; movie theaters; racetracks (without spectators); museums, zoos, and aquariums; bars and breweries with food permits; massage and spa businesses; tattoo parlors; esthetician services; pool halls, bowling alleys, and skating rinks; event centers and wedding venues; and outdoor playgrounds and play centers. Phase 2 will last at least 21 days. Edwards said he would sign the executive order formalizing the changes before June 4.

May 2020

  • May 15:
    • Phase 1 of Louisiana's reopening took effect on May 15. The following businesses were allowed to reopen at 25% capacity: gyms and fitness centers; barber shops and hair/nail salons; shopping malls; gaming establishments; theaters; racetracks (no spectators); museums, zoos, and aquariums (no tactile exhibits); and bars and breweries with food permits. Individuals, particularly those belonging to high-risk groups, are still encouraged to stay home. Individuals who do go out in public are encouraged to wear facial coverings, practice good hygiene, and maintain six feet of distance from others. For businesses, employees who interact with the public must wear facial coverings and enforce social distancing guidelines. Gaming establishments must register and obtain approval before reopening. No other business owners are required to do so.
    • Statewide stay-at-home orders in five states—Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, and Vermont—ended on May 15. These became the 19th through 23rd states where stay-at-home orders have ended. Of those five states, three have Republican governors and two have Democratic governors.
  • May 12: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) unveiled the "Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana" reopening plan. The first phase takes effect on May 15, when the stay-at-home order expires. The following businesses will be permitted to reopen at 25% capacity effective May 15: gyms and fitness centers; barbershops and hair/nail salons; gaming establishments; theaters; racetracks (no spectators); museums, zoos, and aquariums (no tactile exhibits); and bars and breweries with food permits. Individuals, particularly those in high-risk groups, will still be encouraged to stay home. Individuals who do go out in public will be encouraged to wear facial coverings, practice good hygiene, and maintain six feet of distance from others. For businesses, employees who interact with the public must wear facial coverings and enforce social distancing guidelines. Gaming establishments must register and obtain approval before reopening. No other business owners will be required to do so.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Louisiana Department of Health released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Louisiana state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Office of Public Health
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Who Gets It Right Now?
Where can I find the distribution plan? Louisiana COVID-19 Vaccination Playbook (Executive summary)
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? COVID-19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus vaccine in my state? Louisiana Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
Where is the state health department's homepage? Louisiana Department of Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Louisiana - AARP

Timeline

  • Nov. 17, 2021: The Louisiana Department of Health issued guidance allowing any residents 18 and older to receive a booster vaccination if six months had passed since they received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months had passed since they received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.[2]
  • June 17, 2021: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced the Shot At A Million vaccination incentive program. The state scheduled weekly drawings to give away $100,000 cash prizes and $100,000 scholarships. On Aug. 4, the state was scheduled to select a grand prize winner of $1 million. Edwards said residents with at least one dose of a vaccine could enter to win starting June 21. For a drawing schedule and more information, click here.
  • May 5, 2021: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced residents could access digital proof of vaccination through LA Wallet—the state’s digital driver’s license app. The feature was optional and not digitally connected to a person’s driver’s license or ID card. Louisiana’s health order did not contain looser restrictions for vaccinated residents at the time of the announcement, but the state did not have an order or legislation prohibiting state agencies or private businesses from requiring proof of vaccination for services.[3]
  • March 29, 2021: Louisiana residents 16 and older were eligible for vaccinations. Previously, anyone 65 and older, or 16 and older with a state-defined essential job or underlying conditions, was eligible for the vaccine.[4]
  • March 24, 2021: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced all residents 16 and older would be eligible for vaccinations starting March 29.[5]
  • March 22, 2021: Louisiana state-defined essential workers (including grocery store and food service employees, manufacturing and construction workers, and higher education faculty and staff) became eligible for vaccinations. To see a full list of who became eligible, click here.
  • March 9, 2021: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) expanded vaccine eligibility to anyone age 16 years or older with state-defined high-risk conditions (including anyone overweight, with asthma, or with type 1 diabetes). Congregate living staff also became eligible for vaccines, including prison guards, group home staff, and homeless shelter workers.[6]
  • February 22, 2021: In Louisiana, school staff and people ages 55-64 with certain high-risk health conditions became eligible for vaccination. Qualifying conditions included cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women of all ages also became eligible.[7]
  • February 8, 2021: In Louisiana, individuals age 65 and older became eligible for the vaccine. Previously, appointments were limited to individuals age 70 and older.[8]
  • January 4, 2021: Louisiana started Phase 1-B of the state's vaccine distribution plan. Vaccines became available by appointment at participating pharmacies to individuals over the age of 70 and most healthcare workers not covered in Phase 1-A.[9]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


As of May 6, 2022, Louisiana had not issued any travel restrictions.

More information can be found at the Louisiana Office of Tourism.


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Louisiana to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Louisiana were closed to in-person instruction on March 13, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Louisiana .[10][11]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in Louisiana .[12][13]
  • July 14, 2020: The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously to approve reopening guidelines proposed by Superintendent Cade Brumley. The guidelines included a requirement for all adults and students in grades 3 through 12 to wear face coverings.[14]


  • April 13, 2020: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through April 30.[15]
  • April 2, 2020: Edwards announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 13, was extended through April 30.[16]
  • March 13, 2020: Edwards signed an executive order closing all K-12 schools statewide until April 13.[17]

Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


On July 11, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued an executive proclamation establishing a statewide face-covering requirement. Effective July 13, individuals in Louisiana were required to wear face coverings when in any indoor or outdoor public space. The order exempted children under the age of eight, as well as individuals with medical conditions preventing them from wearing face coverings. The order allowed parishes to opt out if they maintained a COVID-19 incidence rate of fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people for the previous two weeks.

Edwards lifted the order on April 28, 2021.

On August 2, Edwards announced Louisiana would reinstate the indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals through at least September 1.[18] On Sept. 28, Edwards extended Louisiana’s statewide public indoor mask requirement through Oct. 27.[19] On Oct. 26, Edwards lifted the statewide indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in all settings except for K-12 schools. School districts had the option not to require masks if they followed CDC quarantine guidelines.[20]


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

4 Aces Enterprises, LLC v. Edwards: On August 17, 2020, Judge Martin Feldman, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, rejected a request by several New Orleans and Houma bar owners to declare Gov. John Bel Edwards’ (D) order closing bars in response to the COVID-19 pandemic unconstitutional. In their complaint, the bar owners challenged sections of Proclamations 89 JBE 2020 and 96 JBE 2020, arguing that the orders unconstitutionally failed to provide a rational basis for distinguishing between bars—which were shuttered—and restaurants that have bars within them, which were allowed to reopen. The bar owners alleged that the orders represented violations of due process, equal protection, and freedom from unlawful takings, under both the U.S. and Louisiana constitutions. In his order, Feldman, an appointee of Ronald Reagan (R), wrote, "Between democratically accountable state officials and a federal court, who decides what measures best protect Louisianans during a global pandemic? The answer is state officials." As a result, Feldman wrote, "the Court is compelled to conclude that Governor Edwards’ ban of on-site consumption of food or drinks at 'bars' bears a 'real or substantial relation' to the goal of slowing the spread of COVID-19 and is not 'beyond all question' a violation of the bar owners’ constitutional rights." Reacting to the decision, Gov. Edwards released a statement: "I am pleased that Judge Feldman upheld bar restrictions, which is one of the critical mitigation measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana to protect and save lives." On August 18, 2020, the bar owners filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.[21][22][23][24]

Edwards v. Louisiana State Legislature: On October 26, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards (D) filed suit in the 19th Judicial District Court, challenging a petition by members of the Louisiana House of Representatives that purported to terminate the governor’s public health emergency proclamation and end Covid-19 restrictions in the state, including business occupancy limits, a statewide mask mandate, and guidelines for churches and schools. The petition, signed by 65 of the 73 House Republicans, was initiated under a state law allowing a majority of legislators in either chamber of the state legislature to sign a petition to unilaterally revoke an emergency declaration. After issuing the petition, the House of Representatives released a statement: "The House has exhausted every available legislative remedy and has been left with no other option but to exercise its legislative right to terminate the governor’s emergency order." In his complaint, Edwards alleged that the petition was "an unconstitutional attempt by the members of one house of the Legislature—without bicameral action or presentment to the Governor—to unilaterally prohibit him from exercising his constitutional and statutory authority." Edwards also argued that the actions of the House "caused and will continue to cause confusion in the State of Louisiana regarding the enforceability of the Governor’s proclamation." The governor asked the court to "declare the Petition null, void and unenforceable."[25][26][27]

Big Tyme Investments, LLC v. Edwards & 910 E Main, LLC v. Edwards: On January 13, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld Governor John Bel Edwards' (D) authority to order COVID-19-related bar closures and alcohol restrictions. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the decisions of two lower courts, dismissing arguments that Edwards’ order violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The case was heard by Circuit Judges James Dennis, a Bill Clinton (D) appointee; Stephen Higginson, a Barack Obama (D) appointee; and Don Willett, Donald Trump (R) appointee. Higginson authored the opinion, and Willett filed a separate concurrence. In response to the decision, Edwards said, "None of the decisions I have made for the past 10 months have been easy, especially when it comes to limiting businesses, and I am pleased that another court has upheld what I have always said: that these orders are completely constitutional, legal and necessary to protect public health." At the time of the ruling, the plaintiffs did not indicate whether they would appeal the decision.[28][29][30]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Edward James (Louisiana) Louisiana House of Representatives District 101 March 26, 2020 James tested positive for COVID-19. He began a self-quarantine on March 22, 2020, after experiencing symptoms.[31]
Steve Scalise U.S. House Louisiana District 1 March 18, 2020 Scalise announced that he was entering a self-quarantine for two weeks after learning U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart tested positive for coronavirus.[32]
Richard Moore III (Louisiana) Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court July 3, 2020 Moore's wife, Sheryl DeMetz Moore, announced on Facebook he had been hospitalized due to COVID-19.[33]
Clay Higgins U.S. House Louisiana District 3 July 25, 2021 Higgins announced on Facebook that he and his family tested positive for coronavirus.[34]
Katrina Jackson Louisiana State Senate District 34 February 12, 2021 Jackson announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[35]
John Schroder (Louisiana) Louisiana State Treasurer December 3, 2020 the treasurer's office announced Schroder had been hospitalized for coronavirus.[36]
Luke Letlow Representative-elect, Louisiana's 5th Congressional District December 29, 2020 Letlow died from complications related to COVID-19.[37]
Billy Nungesser Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana December 17, 2020 Nungesser announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[38]
Cedric Richmond U.S. House Louisiana District 2 December 17, 2020 Announced that Richmond had tested positive for coronavirus.[39]
Bill Cassidy U.S. Senate Louisiana August 20, 2020 Cassidy announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.[40]
Reggie Bagala Louisiana House of Representatives District 54 April 9, 2020 A friend of Bagala's announced he was in the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus. Bagala passed away from complications related to COVID-19 on April 9, 2020.[41]
Michael Fesi Louisiana State Senate District 20 April 29, 2021 Fesi tested positive for COVID-19.[42]

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA1117
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA55
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA329
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA324
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA39
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA222
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA28
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LA14
  10. ↑ Burbio rated Louisiana's in-person index at 89.7. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  11. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  12. ↑ Burbio rated Louisiana's in-person index between 40-60. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  13. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  14. ↑ The Advocate, " Reopening rules of Louisiana public schools: BESE votes in face mask, social distancing policies," July 15, 2020
  15. ↑ The Times-Picayune, "Louisiana schools to remain closed for year amid coronavirus; some continuing remote learning," April 13, 2020
  16. ↑ The Lens, "Governor says Louisiana schools shuttered through April 30," April 2, 2020
  17. ↑ Office of the Louisiana Governor, "Gov. Edwards Signs Proclamation Aimed to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana," March 13, 2020
  18. ↑ Louisiana Office of the Governor, "Gov. Edwards Temporarily Reinstates Louisiana's Statewide Mask Mandate as COVID Cases and Hospitalizations Threaten Hospitals' Ability to Serve Communities...," August 2, 2021
  19. ↑ Louisiana Office of the Governor, "Gov. Edwards Extends Louisiana's Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate for Another Month to Further Slow the Spread of COVID-19 Following the State's Worst Surge of the Pandemic," September 28, 2021
  20. ↑ Louisiana Office of the Governor, "Gov. Edwards Lifts Louisiana’s Mask Mandate Statewide, Except for K-12 Schools," October 26, 2021
  21. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, "4 Aces Enterprises, LLC v. Edwards: Order and Reasons," August 17, 2020
  22. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, "4 Aces Enterprises, LLC v. Edwards: Complaint," July 30, 2020
  23. ↑ Office of the Governor of Louisiana, "Gov. Edwards' Statement on the Upholding of Restrictions on Bars by the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana," August 17, 2020
  24. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, "4 Aces Enterprises, LLC v. Edwards: Notice of Expedited Appeal to the Fifth Circuit," August 18, 2020
  25. ↑ 19th Judicial District Court, "Edwards v. Louisiana State Legislature: Petition," October 26, 2020
  26. ↑ Louisiana House of Representatives, "Petition to Terminate State of Public Health Emergency," accessed October 30, 2020
  27. ↑ Louisiana House of Representatives, "House to File Petition Terminating Governor's Emergency Proclamations," accessed October 30, 2020
  28. ↑ United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, "Big Tyme Investments, LLC v. Edwards & 910 E Main, LLC v. Edwards: Order," January 13, 2021
  29. ↑ Office of the Governor of Louisiana, "Another Federal Court Sides with Gov. Edwards, Denying Appeal by Bar Owners to Overturn COVID Mitigation Measures," January 13, 2021
  30. ↑ Houma Today, "Louisiana bar owners, including some from Houma, lose appeal to open during COVID restrictions," January 14, 2021
  31. ↑ The Advocate, "Louisiana state Rep. Ted James hospitalized with coronavirus, pneumonia," March 30, 2020
  32. ↑ The Hill, "Scalise to self-quarantine in response to Diaz-Balart test," March 18, 2020
  33. ↑ The Advocate, "Richard 'Chip' Moore, well-known Baton Rouge judge, is on ventilator and fighting coronavirus," July 8, 2020
  34. ↑ Associated Press, "Louisiana Rep. Higgins says he, wife, son have coronavirus," July 26, 2021
  35. ↑ BrProud, "State senator in Louisiana tests positive for COVID-19," February 12, 2021
  36. ↑ The Livingston Parish News', "Louisiana state treasurer hospitalized with COVID-19," December 3, 2020
  37. ↑ News Star, "Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dies with COVID," December 29, 2020
  38. ↑ Chron, "Louisiana lieutenant governor tests positive for COVID-19," December 17, 2020
  39. ↑ POLITICO, "Cedric Richmond tests positive for Covid, days after attending Georgia event with Biden," December 17, 2020
  40. ↑ WBRZ, "Senator Bill Cassidy tests positive for coronavirus," August 20, 2020
  41. ↑ KALB, "Gov. Edwards orders flags at half-staff in honor of State Rep. Reggie Bagala," April 10, 2020
  42. ↑ The Advocate, "State Senator Mike Fesi tests positive for COVID, says he's 'feeling good' with an 'ache all over'," May 3, 2021
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
OverviewsCOVID-19.jpg
Articles by Type
Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders • Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements
State responses to coronavirus
State paths to recovery
State school responses
Coronavirus debate topics
Coronavirus debate by state
Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Documenting_Louisiana%27s_path_to_recovery_from_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020-2021&oldid=8799972"