April 16, 2020

Here in Lafayette Parish, effective at Midnight tonight, we are authorizing businesses to open that were neither deemed essential, nor prohibited under the governor’s existing order. These “gray area” businesses can operate subject to the following conditions:

• Employees must wear masks.
• Employees may not work if they have a fever or symptoms.
• Customers must maintain a minimum of 6 feet of separation when shopping or standing in line.
• Maximum of 25% occupancy, as determined by code and the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Fire Marshal.
• No congregating or groups loitering in or near businesses.
• Customers who have fever or are symptomatic should be barred from the business.

Violating businesses may have their power shut off. Violations come with a $500 fine and/or up to 6 months in the parish jail. If businesses do not have a mechanism in which to count customers and determine six feet between shoppers, they should not open until they are able to do so.

If you have any questions on whether or not your business falls under this category, please call 311 and press option 2, starting Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They will be available Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.