State begins modified Phase 2
Lincoln Parish heads into the official start of the Christmas shopping season today under modified Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions, but the president of the local chamber of commerce anticipates business pretty much as usual.
“I think people will probably still go shopping,” Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President Judy Copeland said.
However, she doesn’t expect the customary Black Friday crowds. The reason: People appear to have started shopping early to avoid crowds, Copeland said.
Gov. John Bel Edwards moved Louisiana back into Phase 2 on Wednesday in the face of an aggressive third surge of COVID-19 across all regions of the state. Edwards said the revised restrictions are needed in order to protect public health. Louisiana had been in Phase 3 since Sept. 11.
The current Phase 2 is less restrictive than the previous Phase 2 that was in effect over the summer. But, like the original Phase 2, the new one also reduces occupancy levels at some businesses, decreases crowd gathering sizes, limits indoor consumption at many bars, and urges Louisianans to avoid getting together with people outside of their everyday households.
The statewide mask mandate, which has been in effect since July, continues.
Edwards’ decision came in the face of a growing surge of COVID-19 cases statewide, including here in Lincoln Parish. According to Wednesday numbers from the Louisiana Department of Health, Lincoln Parish has 2,161 confirmed coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in March.
Some 56 parish residents are now confirmed dead from the virus, with two additional deaths probably linked to the illness, LDH reports.
Data from across the Lincoln Parishinclusive Public Health Region 8 show a sharp uptick in COVID cases beginning around the first of November. Lincoln Parish has seen an increase of 460 confirmed cases since Nov. 1.
Edwards said his decision to revert to Phase 2 came partially in hope of not compromising hospitals that are already near capacity.
“It is absolutely vital that Louisianans take this third surge of COVID seriously,” Edwards said. “While there is hopeful news about the development of an effective vaccine, the reality is that we are several months away from being able to widely vaccinate the general population in our state. This virus is with us, and we must continue all of the mitigation measures including wearing a mask and social distancing in order to stay safe.
“All of us working together can slow the spread of COVID and flatten the curve —indeed, we already have twice. We now have more than 1,000 patients in the hospital with COVID, wiping out months of progress and leaving our hospitals in a perilous place.”
A spokesperson for Northern Louisiana Medical Center could not be reached for comment Wednesday on the local situation.
Under the modified Phase 2 order, most businesses will go back to 50% occupancy, likely through the end of the year. Though the new order expires Dec. 23, Edwards indicated the restrictions would likely stay in at least through December.
The order also:
• Limits gatherings to 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Sporting events have a 25% occupancy cap, while restaurants, retailers and other businesses will move back to 50% occupancy, all with social distancing required.
• Leaves churches and places of worship at their current 75% occupancy level, with both masks and social distancing required.
“Because of the trajectory we are on, it is imperative that we take action and take action now,” he said. “We’re in for a rough patch.”
Whether the state is successful in once again flattening the coronavirus curve depends upon how Louisianans react, Edwards said.
According to the latest report by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Louisiana had 474 new cases per 100,000 people last week, which is higher than the national average for states, which is 356 per 100,000 people.
“The path ahead is dangerous,” Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s interim assistant secretary of the Office of Public Health, said.
Kanter said the state is on the same trajectory it was eight months ago when the virus hit, only now it’s also flu season, people are staying indoors more because of cooler weather, and it’s the holiday season.
“What is unique about this increase from the two previous ones, we’re now in lock step with the rest of the country,” Kanter said.
Both he and Edwards said that probably means no outside personnel — medical or otherwise — will likely be available for Louisiana this time.
