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Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Louisiana)

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Responses 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 coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:

Additionally, the article includes:

To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.

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Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

General election changes

Louisiana modified its absentee/mail-in voting and candidate filing procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Absentee/mail-in voting: The absentee ballot application used in the general election included COVID-19 specific reasons for requesting an absentee ballot.
  • Candidate filing procedures: The candidate qualifying deadline was extended to July 24, 2020. The deadline by which a ballot-qualified party must notify the state of its presidential nominee was extended from August 18, 2020, to August 25, 2020.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Primary election changes

Louisiana modified its primary election process as follows:

  • Election postponements: The presidential preference primary was postponed from April 4, 2020, to July 11, 2020.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.


Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4

See also: States with lockdown and stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On March 22, Governor John Edwards (D) issued Proclamation Number 33 JBE 2020, which directed individuals in the state to stay at home unless performing essential activities and placed restrictions on non-essential businesses.[8] The order was originally set to expire on April 12. On April 27, 2020, Edwards extended the stay-at-home order through May 15.[9]

Following the release of Proclamation Number 33 JBE 2020, the Louisiana Office of the Governor issued a list of essential businesses and industries that would be permitted to remain open under the order. The document embedded below lists those businesses and industries.[10]

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Executive orders, March 30 through June 29

See also: Executive orders issued by governors and state agencies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Court closures, March 17 through November 4

See also: State court closures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • May 15, 2020: The Louisiana Supreme Court announced that the restrictions on in-person proceedings were lifted and authorized courts to conduct in-person proceedings on all matters. Jury trials remain suspended through June 30.[11]
  • April 22, 2020: The Louisiana Supreme Court suspended jury trials through June 30. Prior to the order, the suspension of jury trials was set to expire May 4.[12]
  • April 6, 2020: The Louisiana Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings and the suspension of jury trials through May 4.[13]
  • March 24, 2020: The Louisiana State Supreme Court instructed all courts to limit access to courtrooms and other spaces to the maximum number of people allowed per guidelines set by the CDC, President Donald Trump, and Gov. John Bel Edwards. They further ordered that all essential court functions be conducted through video or telephone whenever possible.[14]
  • March 16, 2020: The Louisiana Supreme Court ordered that all jury trials in the state be suspended until March 30.[15]

Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19

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

See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in Louisiana. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

The Louisiana State Legislature initially suspended its session from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2020.[16] After reconvening on March 31, 2020, the legislature suspended its session indefinitely. The legislature resumed its session on May 4, 2020. It adjourned on June 30, 2020.[17][18]

Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24

See also: Changes to rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


  • June 15, 2020: Louisana's ban on evictions and foreclosures expired on June 15, 2020.[19]
  • March 18, 2020: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced a suspension of foreclosures and evictions.[20]


Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1

See also: State and local governments that released prison inmates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

State response

  • June 3, 2020: The Louisiana Department of Corrections announced it would suspend a furlough review panel established to reduce the state’s prison when Louisiana enters phase two of its reopening plan, which began June 5.[21]
  • April 30, 2020: Gov. John Bel Edwards office announced that 53 inmates, out of the 249 inmates considered, had been released as part of the Louisiana Department of Corrections furlough program announced earlier in April.[22]
  • April 14, 2020: The Louisiana Department of Corrections created a review panel to consider the temporary medical release of certain inmate populations due to the coronavirus pandemic. State prison inmates considered for release had underlying health conditions, were convicted of nonviolent offenses excluding sex offenses, were set to be released within six months, and able to show proof of housing upon release. Inmates mostly being held in county jails were subject to the same criteria, except the requirement of an underlying health condition. These inmates must have already served at least six months of their sentence to be considered.[23]
  • April 6, 2020: Francis Abbott, executive director for the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole, issued a "Certification of Inability to Operate Due to Lack of Quorum," which allowed the parole board to hold hearings remotely through video or phone conferencing, effective April 15.[24]

Local response

  • March 26, 2020: District court judges in New Orleans issued orders for the immediate release of people "awaiting trial for misdemeanors, arrested for failure to appear at probation status hearing, detained in contempt of court, or detained for failing a drug test while on bond."[25]


Debate in Louisiana over responses to the coronavirus

See also: Debate in Louisiana over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Louisiana in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

  • "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
  • Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
  • A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.

Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures

Louisiana released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on May 11, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on June 24. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: June 24, 2020

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced a three-phase reopening plan on May 11. The first phase of the plan began on May 15, lifting the stay-at-home order and allowing businesses like gyms, movie theaters, and barbershops to reopen with 25% occupancy limits.

On June 5, the state entered Phase Two. As of June 24, the state remains in the second phase, which allows most businesses to reopen at 50% occupancy. In a press release announcing the plan, Edwards said, “Right now, the data shows improvement, and we also now have a much more robust testing and contract [sic] tracing program underway, which will allow us to better identify cases and isolate those who may have been infected. However, we are not out of the woods and if we see a dramatic spike in cases, we may have to increase restrictions. Our lives will not go back to normal for some time.”

Louisiana’s plan allows local governments to impose stricter regulations as necessary “to protect life and property and to bring the emergency situation under control.”

Edwards said the state’s reopening plan is based on the recommendations of the White House coronavirus task force. He said progression through the three phases of the road map is contingent on a downward trajectory in:

  • COVID-like symptoms
  • New cases
  • Hospitalizations
Context
  • Louisiana’s statewide stay-at-home order took effect on March 22 and expired on May 15.
  • As of June 23, there had been 51,595 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Louisiana and 3,021 reported deaths. A total of 635,939 residents had been tested, amounting to a positive test rate of 8.1 percent. As of July 2019, Louisiana’s estimated population was 4.6 million. Per 100,000 residents, there have been 1,121.6 confirmed positives, 65.7 confirmed deaths, and 13,824.8 total tests.
  • Louisiana has a divided government, with a Democratic governor and Republican majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

Plan details

General guidelines
Individuals
Louisiana’s reopening plan did not implement restrictions on individuals statewide, like mask requirements or gathering limits. It allows local governments to do so. For example, in New Orleans, people are required to wear masks and gatherings larger than 100 are prohibited.

The reopening plan encourages but does not require people to:

  • Wear face coverings in public
  • Practice good hygiene like hand washing
  • Maintain six-foot social distancing

Businesses
The reopening plan says businesses:

  • Must require employees to wear masks
  • Must enforce social distancing guidelines

Phase 1
Individuals

  • Everyone is encouraged to stay home when possible
  • People encouraged to adhere to general guidance

Businesses
Phase One allowed the following businesses to reopen at 25% capacity:

  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Barber shops and hair and nail salons
  • Casinos and Video Poker
  • Theaters
  • Racetracks (not open to spectators)
  • Museums, zoos, aquariums (no tactile exhibits)
  • Bars and breweries with LDH food permits

Click here for a full list of guidance documents for Phase One businesses.

Phase 2
Individuals

  • High-risk individuals are encouraged to stay home when possible
  • People encouraged to adhere to general guidance

Businesses
Phase Two allows the following businesses to reopen at 50% capacity:

  • Restaurants, cafes and coffee shops
  • Shopping malls (including food courts, following restaurant guidance)
  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Barber and beauty shops and nail salons
  • Movie theaters
  • Racetracks (with an approved plan from the Louisiana Racing Commission)
  • Museums (including children’s museums), zoos, aquariums (no tactile exhibits)
  • Bars and breweries with LDH food permits
  • Massage establishments, spas, and tattoo establishments (under strict guidance from LDH), esthetician services (under strict guidance from the Cosmetology Board)
  • Pool halls, bowling alleys and skating rinks (children must be accompanied by an adult)
  • Event Centers and wedding venues
  • Outdoor playgrounds and play centers (children must be accompanied by an adult)

The second phase also allows bars without food permits to open at 25% capacity. Click here for a full list of guidance documents for Phase Two businesses.

Phase 3
As of June 24, guidance is not yet available for the third phase of reopening. On June 22, Edwards announced he was extending Phase Two for at least 28 days. The state was initially scheduled to move into Phase Three on June 26.

Reactions

  • In a staff editorial, The Advocate said Louisiana's declining coronavirus numbers in mid-May indicated Edwards’ reopening plan was successful. “Gov. John Bel Edwards has provided steady leadership. Someone has to decide what activities are allowed or banned, and it’s inevitable that some will think the rules are unfair. The governor of Michigan banned boating and lawn care services, and she has been greeted with howls of protest. But protests in Baton Rouge have mostly fizzled, and the steady improvement in the state’s overall numbers suggests the cautious approach was the correct one.”
  • House Majority Leader Blake Miguez (R) criticized Edwards’ decision to postpone Phase One. Miguez said Edwards was “just being stubborn. This is the time for him to really listen to the voices of the people back home. We've got to take the responsible approach to protecting lives and livelihoods.”

Coronavirus resources

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

State resources

Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.

Federal resources

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, "Harding v. Edwards: Ruling," September 16, 2020
  2. ↑ The Advocate, "Louisiana should allow more mail-in ballots for Nov. 3 election, federal judge rules," September 16, 2020
  3. ↑ Louisiana Legislature, "Act No. 251," accessed June 29, 2020
  4. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Giving Qualified Parties More Time to Certify Presidential Nominees," June 25, 2020
  5. ↑ Louisiana State Legislature, "HB751/Act No. 28," accessed June 18, 2020
  6. ↑ Facebook, "Louisiana Secretary of State on March 13, 2020," accessed March 13, 2020
  7. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  8. ↑ [1]
  9. ↑ Office of the Governor, "‘Gov. Edwards Will Extend Stay at Home Order Until May 15 to Continue Flattening the Curve and Slowing the Spread of COVID-19," April 27, 2020
  10. ↑ [https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/docs/covid/Essential-Infrastructure_fact-sheet.pdf Office of the Governor, "COVID-19 Statewide Stay at Home Order: Additional Illustrative Examples of Critical Infrastructure Businesses Consistent with Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency Guidance," accessed March 24, 2020]
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named May18
  12. ↑ Supreme Court of Louisiana, "Order," April 22, 2020
  13. ↑ Supreme Court of Louisiana, "Order," April 6, 2020
  14. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - March 24, 2020," March 24, 2020
  15. ↑ KALB, "Louisiana Supreme Court issues order for Louisiana courts," March 16, 2020
  16. ↑ WDSU, "Louisiana state legislature will temporarily adjourn due to COVID-19," March 16, 2020
  17. ↑ Bossier Press-Tribune, "Louisiana legislature meets briefly before suspending session again," March 31, 2020
  18. ↑ The Advocate, "75% in attendance and many without masks: Louisiana legislature reconvenes amid coronavirus," May 4, 2020
  19. ↑ NOLO, "Emergency Bans on Evictions and Other Tenant Protections Related to Coronavirus," accessed June 22, 2020
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EvictMA
  21. ↑ The Lens, "DOC to suspend prisoner release program as state enters phase two of reopening," June 3, 2020
  22. ↑ The Advocate, "Release denied for most Louisiana inmates considered under new coronavirus furlough program," April 30, 2020
  23. ↑ The Advocate, "Review panel to consider medical release for some Louisiana state prison inmates due to coronavirus," April 14, 2020
  24. ↑ State of Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole, "CERTIFICATION OF INABILITY TO OPERATE DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM," April 6, 2020
  25. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," March 31, 2020
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