Reopening Louisiana’s Economy
GUIDELINES FOR PHASE 2 REOPENING
The Governor has started Phase Two in Louisiana, which means more businesses can operate with some restrictions in place to protect the public and their employees. Additional businesses will be able to operate in Phase Three.
Business owners should review the updated Phase Two order, as this is the best way to determine if they can open, and refer to guidance from the State Fire Marshal (SFM) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) shared on OpenSafely.la.gov. No business is required to register at this site to reopen. Below is an overview of which businesses can be open.
Please note: employees that deal with the public MUST wear face masks when a business is open, and all businesses must practice social distancing. The Governor strongly urges people to wear masks or cloth face coverings when they are in public and interacting with members outside of their households.
Click HERE to read updated information on the areas below.
Phase 2 – Outdoor Play Centers and Playgrounds
Phase 2 – Outdoor Sports and Activities and Outdoor Racing Events
Phase 2 – Event Centers and Outdoor Event Venues
Phase 2 – Tattoo, Massage, and Esthetician Services
Phase 2 – Beauty Shops, Salons, Barber Shops, or Tanning Salons – Contactless Tanning Only
Phase 2 – Fitness Centers and Health Clubs – Includes Aerobics, Yoga, and Martial Arts classes
Phase 2 – Other Businesses or Organizations Not Prohibited from being Open to the Public
Phase 2 – Movie Theaters
Phase 2 – Libraries
Phase 2 – Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums Includes Children’s Museums
Phase 2 – Shopping Malls and Retail Stores
Phase 2 – Swimming Pools and Aquatic Venues
Phase 2 – Restaurants, Cafes and Coffee Shops, Bars, Nightclubs, and Micro-Breweries
Phase 2 – Places of Worship
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
White House Announces Path for States to Reopen
Guides and Resources from the U.S. Chamber
The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources to continue bringing you and your members the information you need during this difficult time. We encourage you to continue utilizing and sharing the following items as you see fit:
- Reopening Business Digital Resources Center
- Reopening Business Digital Resources Center Toolkit
- Small Business Reopening Playbook
- State-by-State Business Reopening Guidance
- Backgrounder on Health Coverage Options
- Backgrounder on Unemployment Insurance Under the CARES Act
- Independent Contractor’s Guide to CARES Act Relief
- Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
- Temporary Paid Leave and Family Medical Leave Guide
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program Guide
- Employee Retention Tax Credit Guide
- Coronavirus Small Business Guide
- Coronavirus Response Toolkit
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Louisiana Businesses Receive COVID-19 Legal Shield
Louisiana businesses are receiving state protection from most lawsuits involving COVID-19 deaths or injuries, after Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a package of measures that limits a business’ legal liability. These measures take effect immediately and are retroactive to March 11. Three Republican-sponsored bills offering the lawsuit shields passed during the regular session that ended June 1.
Under a bill sponsored by Rep. Thomas Pressly of Shreveport, people will be unable to sue businesses, government agencies, trade show organizers and event planners for civil damages for injuries or death from COVID-19 unless they can prove the high legal standard of “gross negligence or willful misconduct.”
A second measure by Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell offers the same lawsuit protection to people and businesses who donate recovery services or products — such as hand sanitizer and protective clothing — and those selling that type of disaster aid “outside of the typical course and scope of their operations.” Hewitt’s protections don’t just last through the coronavirus pandemic. They’ll continue during any declared state of emergency in Louisiana.
A third bill by Sen. Patrick McMath of Covington gives the same limitation of liability to restaurant owners and employees for the coronavirus outbreak, as long as they are deemed “in substantial compliance” with state, federal and local regulations about the virus. It doesn’t apply to future state emergencies or disasters.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Attention all parents/guardians:
The Webster Parish School System will offer two options for parents to choose from for the Fall 2020 Semester:
Option 1: Attend traditional “brick and mortar” school based on guidelines set forth in the governor’s proclamation (Phase 1, 2, or 3)
Option 2: A 100% virtual program where students do NOT return to a “brick and mortar” school campus.
The options for parents to choose will be available upon the release of the Webster Parish On-line Registration Form. Stay tuned for details on registration!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Early voting in Louisiana primary begins June 20
Only registered Democrats and Republicans will be eligible to vote in their party’s respective Presidential Preference Primary, while voters in 24 parishes, regardless of party, may have a local election on their ballot. Those 24 parishes include Bienville, Caddo, Calcasieu, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Rapides, Richland, Sabine, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington and West Feliciana.
Voters can utilize Louisiana’s award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate their early voting site, election day voting site and view their sample ballot. Voters can also access this information in our Voter Portal by visiting https://voterportal.sos.la.gov.
Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at the parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. For a complete listing of early voting locations, visit https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/EarlyVoting.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our polling commissioners will be supplied with personal protective equipment and will regularly sanitize designated areas and wipe down voting machines. Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and masks are recommended, although not required
In addition to a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may now use a digital license via LA Wallet.
Election Day for the PPP and Municipal Primary is Saturday, July 11 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Louisiana Workforce Commission Announces New Plan for Unemployment Claims
Sunday: 0 – 3
Monday: 4 – 6
Tuesday: 7 – 9
Be sure to answer YES, when asked if applying for reasons related to COVID-19. This will help YOU and businesses get relief.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Business Owners & Managers:
To assist in situational reporting and planning, please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey.
Click here to take the survey now.
Thank you!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthStar Urgent Care of Minden and Springhill have COVID-19 testing available.
Our protocol is as follows: If you have fever of 100.4 and respiratory symptoms, we will test you for strep and flu first, if those are negative and the provider deems it necessary we will then test for COVID-19. We will test you in your car if you request. The results are taking 3-7 business days.
If you need medical attention besides COVID-19 testing, we do have masks available to wear in the lobby, we also have a text system in place where you can sign in inside and wait in your car. When your room is ready, we will text you. We also have the Zip Pass App available.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
With the recent upgrade of COVID-19 to a worldwide pandemic, the Greater Minden Chamber has gathered resources for its members to help them navigate all the effects of this declaration.
“We at the Greater Minden Chamber encourage our members to take precautions to prevent the spread of this disease,” said Chamber President/CEO Jana Morgan.
In addition, we are offering the following links to assist members who may be economically affected by recent actions surrounding this outbreak.
The following links provide additional information concerning COVID-19
COVID-19 Resources:
Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
SBA info ~ Small Business Loan Information COVID-19 Disaster
https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/covid19
The LWC website:
http://www.louisianaworks.net/hire
Governor’s Executive Order and latest press release:
https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2411
https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/ExecutiveOrders/27-JBE-2020-COVID-19.pdf
Coronavirus Legal & Business Hub resource for businesses, governments and non-profits.
https://www.butlersnow.com/coronavirus-hub/
Other Helpful Links
PPP LOANS Frequently Asked Questions
We want our members to know that we are here for them as we combat, and ultimately overcome, this challenge.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SHARE YOUR BUSINESS IMPACT
The Louisiana Travel Association wants to keep our industry informed with resources, updates and developments during the COVID-19 event. As your business, event or workforce is impacted, we want to gather information about closures, cancellations and the economic challenges facing tourism-related businesses. This information will help us advocate on your behalf as we urge lawmakers to provide recovery resources.
Please complete this short survey to share how the Coronavirus is impacting your business by clicking the link below.
Webster Parish Convention & Visitors Commission is taking the recommended precautions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Please be aware that the Dorcheat Museum, Germantown Museum, City Art Works and Lake Bistineau State Park are closed to the public at this time. As of right now, the trails and water access are open at Caney Lakes for recreation, however no additional RVs or campers will be granted overnight stays. There are also several public boat launches throughout the parish if you are interested in fishing or paddling. You can locate these on our website or in the Visit Webster Parish app. Our website has also recently been updated to feature which restaurants are offering delivery and curbside pick up.
There are still ways to discover our good nature while practicing “social distancing”. Please give us a call if you have any questions.
