LAFAYETTE, La. — On Monday, May 11, Lafayette Consolidated Government provided an update on the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.
Lafayette Mayor-President said he welcomed Monday's announcement from Gov. John Bel Edwards that his Stay At Home Order will finally end on May 15 and the state will begin the Phase 1 reopening process on Saturday, May 16.
"This decision is a very welcome development," said Guillory. "It’s one of the first major steps in our efforts to reopen our businesses and put our people back to work."
Guillory said the governor’s decision reflects the progress made in Acadiana, which has seen reductions in COVID-like illnesses, fewer hospitalizations and a decline in new cases of the virus.
Guillory said the Acadiana area has made real progress in the federal-graded criteria for reopening.
"How well we respond to this first phase of reopening will determine whether we are able to move to Phase II," said Guillory. "We dictate the pace of our reopening process."
Guillory said that he had been on calls with other mayors and parish presidents across the state this morning to discuss reopening with leadership from the governor’s staff and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
"There are a host of changes in the Phase I reopening that will be reflected in updated emergency declarations being issued," Guillory said. "Our legal team will be closely reviewing the new guidance and we will be working with our local stakeholders to ensure that our businesses and our citizens have as much clarity on reopening as possible. We are all working hard to safely reopen our economy."
On Monday, the Louisiana Department of Health was reporting 508 cases of coronavirus and 22 deaths in Lafayette Parish.
Across the state, 31,815 coronavirus cases and 2,242 deaths were being reported.
The number of "presumed recovered" coronavirus patients grew by more than 2,000 in Monday's update to 22,608.
Gov. John Bel Edwards held a press briefing on Monday to address Louisiana's transition into Phase One of reopening.
Edwards' stay-at-home order, which was extended in April, is set to expire on May 15.
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