The Louisiana Department of Health issued an emergency order on Wednesday that allows pharmacists in the state to order Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing.
According to the order, State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry has determined that allowing licensed pharmacists to order FDA-authorized COVID-19 laboratory testing during this declared health emergency is appropriate and necessary to help control and prevent further spread of COVID-19, a communicable, contagious, and infectious disease that represent a serious and imminent threat to the public health.
The order went into effect on April 19 at midnight and will remain in effect through the declared public health emergency, unless otherwise modified, revoked or suspended by Guidry.
The order's rationale is that testing for COVID-19 is an additional measure necessary to protect the health and safety of the public. The measures in the order are in line with the best guidance and direction from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health and Human Services Department.
You can read the full order below.