The state of Louisiana may soon require businesses to have their employees wear masks if they want to operate, Governor John Bel Edwards said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
The White House has issued guidelines for how states might reopen their economies in phases. Some states, like Georgia, have already started loosening coronavirus restrictions.
Louisiana’s current, statewide stay-at-home order expires at the end of next week (April 30), and Governor Edwards has not yet said what will happen after that. But at Thursday’s press conference he hinted there would be requirements around wearing masks.
“If you want to run a business and have folks come in from the public in order to purchase goods or services from you,” Edwards said, “then your workers ought to be in a mask.”
This week, Harris County, Texas -- which includes Houston -- issued an order requiring everyone over 10 years old to wear a mask -- or be fined. That order now faces a lawsuit, but Edwards said Louisiana’s new statewide restrictions likely won’t go that far.
He said more details about reopening the economy would likely come on Monday.
In New Orleans, Mayor Cantrell’s stay-at-home order expires May 16.
