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LCG is open for business as state addresses coronavirus concerns

Posted at 5:19 PM, Mar 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-13 23:58:05-04

At a press conference on Friday, Mayor President Josh Guillory says that LCG is open for business as the state continues to address coronavirus concerns.

Guillory says that anyone who needs to pay bills or inquire about services or issues, will be able to do so.

Dr. Tina Stefanski with the Louisiana Department of Health stressed that there are no cases of COVID-19 in Acadiana, but she believes it's only a matter of time before we do see a local presumptive positive case.

When we asked how many people have been tested in Acadiana, Dr. Stefanski said officials can't give a firm number because it's such a moving target, and the number of those tested continues to grow. She adds that up to this point, the tests have been negative.

"We hope these measures that we're taking will lead to a continued low level of virus circulating in the community."

But Dr. Stefanski did confirm the number of those tested in Acadiana is over a dozen.

The Department of Health is encouraging residents to remain patient when it comes to testing and stocking up on supplies.

"Availability - everyone is trying to get to scale with this, so we ask that people be patient and know that this may take a little while for the need to meet the demand," explained Stefanski.

Following an internal meeting, the mayor-president says that unless employees of the city are sick, they are asked to come to work at LCG. Operational departments and facilities will remain open as normal.

A 60 day suspension of LUS disconnection and late fees to customers. Those who were disconnected today will be reconnected and fees waived.

This will ensure that most vulnerable households have power and water during this public health emergency, Guillory said.

The formation of task-force was made at the conference. LCG will announce more participants at a later date. Dr. Stefanski will head the task-force.

Guillory also extended the cancellation of public events for an additional two weeks, through Sunday, March 29. This includes all public meetings, events, programming, and extra-curricular activities. LCG previously canceled events through Sunday, March 15. The restrictions on gatherings of 250 people or more will continue through April 13.

Guillory says it's important to find the right balance responding to this public health emergency.

"We're taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our people as best as we can. At the same time, I want to encourage everyone to go about their daily business. Just use common sense, use good judgment. Together, we will whether this and come out the other side stronger and more united than ever."

"We will work with federal, state, and public stake holders. We will update as changes are made," Guillory said.

Guillory asks that residents continue to go about daily business.