BEGINNING MAY 16, 2020
Phase One: Safest at Home
Phase One will ease the Stay Home Order and restrictions on some low-risk operations, while implementing limits on occupancy, social distancing measures, and requirements for personal protective equipment. If milestones for progress are not met or if there is a spike in cases or deaths, it may be necessary to move back to stricter measures. Phase One in Orleans Parish will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday, May 16.
Read the proclamation
Read the public health advisory (Updated May 29)
Read the guidelines (Updated May 29)
What Stays the Same
- Continue to stay home except for essential needs and other permitted activities on a limited basis.
- Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
- Gatherings are limited to a household size. Limit the number of people with whom you regularly come into contact to a small and consistent “crew.”
- Everyone must wear a mask or face covering when performing activities in public. You do not need to wear a face covering while performing outdoor recreation but you must abide by all social distancing and hygiene rules.
- Practice social distancing, wash hands often, and frequently disinfect surfaces.
- Continue to work from home if you are able.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- If you have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, you must quarantine for 14 days.
- All non-essential businesses and organizations will continue to stay closed during Phase One, except under the following conditions, as outlined by the Governor’s Office and the Mayor’s Office. These exceptions are only allowed while paired with strict requirements for social distancing, face coverings and other PPE, and hygiene and cleaning protocols.
- Live entertainment is prohibited in front of an audience in all businesses, institutions and outdoor spaces.
Requirements of All Phase One Operations
- All non-essential businesses and institutions must register on the Louisiana State Fire Marshal website opensafely.la.gov to receive sector-specific guidelines for reopening and a certificate of Acknowledgement of Registration, which must be posted at all entrances, so it is visible before entering the premises.
- All businesses and institutions must prohibit individuals from entering the premises if they have symptoms of illness, must require that all customers, clients, and visitors must wear face coverings while indoors or on the premises, must have unused face coverings in stock to provide customers who do not have face coverings upon entry, and must post signage at all entrances clearly indicating such requirements and prohibitions. Download a mask requirement poster to post in your business:
- Masks Required Poster
- Cartel de máscaras requeridas
- Áp phích yêu cầu mặt nạ
- When working inside, open doors and windows to promote air flow to the greatest extent possible and limit the number of people occupying a single indoor space according to industry social distancing guidelines.
- When two or more people are occupying a vehicle for work related purposes, they must wear face coverings.
- Workers must have easy and frequent access to soap and water or hand sanitizer during the duration of work, and frequent handwashing or hand sanitizing is required including before entering and leaving job sites.
- All common spaces and equipment, including bathrooms, frequently touched surfaces and doors, tools and equipment, and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected at the beginning, middle and end of each shift and, if possible, prior to transfer from one person to another.
- Workers must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others.
- In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” should also be provided, when applicable (the presence of this shield does not replace the need to wear a face covering).
- No congregation of workers is allowed and all common areas, such as break rooms and cafeterias, but excluding restrooms, shall be closed.
- If the nature of an employee’s work, or the work area does not allow employees to safely consume meals in the workspace an employer may designate a common area or room where meals may be safely consumed provided the following conditions are met:
- Limit occupancy to ensure that social distancing of at least 6 feet between all employees.
- Hand washing facilities and/or hand sanitizer shall be immediately available at the entrances of designated common area or room.
- Employees shall be required to wipe down the area prior to leaving – or there shall be cleaning of the area at regular intervals throughout the day.
- At the entrances of the designated common area or room the employer shall clearly post the policy limiting the occupancy of the space, and the minimum social distancing, hand washing/hand sanitizing and space cleaning requirements.
- Workers shall not report to, or be allowed to remain at, a work or job site if sick or symptomatic (with fever higher than 100.4oF/38.0oC, cough, and/or shortness of breath, diarrhea, or any other symptom suggestive of COVID-19).
- Non-symptomatic COVID-19 positive workers are not allowed on site and any worker(s) who have contact with a worker or any other person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days.
- Individuals who have tested positive can be allowed to return to work if they have not had symptoms for at least 3 days and it has been at least 10 days have passed since their symptoms began.
- To the extent feasible, prior to the start of each work shift, pre-screening or survey shall be required to verify each employee has no symptoms of illness (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath), including temperature checks when feasible.
- All workers must observe strict social distancing of at least 6 feet while on the job, unless noted, and should refrain from touching their faces.
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All food handlers must wear a face covering that covers both the nose and the mouth.
Operations Allowed in Phase One
If you intend to open an eligible Phase One business or organization in Orleans Parish, you are required to register with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office at OpenSafely.la.gov.
Italicized items are specific requirements for businesses operating in Orleans Parish:
Shopping malls and retail stores
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
Food service establishments
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Restaurants with table service should utilize a reservation or appointment system. Learn more about contact tracing.
- Video poker is not allowed.
- Food service establishments are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages to any party without a food order.
- Off-street parking requirements are temporarily suspended and temporary Sidewalk Use Permits will be issued free of charge so you can expand outdoor seating.
View Food Establishment Handout
Beauty salons, barber shops, and nail salons
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Service by reservation or appointment only. Watch video explaining reservations and contact tracing.
Houses of worship
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Services are limited to 25% of permitted occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
- No choirs permitted.
Childcare, early learning centers, and extra curricular programs
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
Movie theaters
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
Museums, zoos, aquariums
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Admission must be staggered using an appointment or reservation system.
Gyms and Fitness Centers
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Contact sports and group fitness classes are not allowed.
- No use of locker rooms, showers, saunas, or spas allowed.
Office buildings and businesses
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
libraries
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
Outdoor recreation spaces, sports complexes, parks and playgrounds
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Gatherings limited to a household size.
Racetracks
- Follow State Fire Marshal Phase One guidelines.
- Casinos and video poker not allowed.
