LAFAYETTE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting that Lafayette Parish has two consecutive weeks of COVID-19 percent positivity below 5%, which makes it eligible to opt into reopening bars in the parish under Gov. John Bel Edwards’ latest emergency proclamation.
LDH updates its percent positivity rates each Wednesday.
Lafayette Parish had a percent positivity rate of 3.7% from Feb. 4 - 10 compared to 4.5% from Feb. 11 - 17.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Lafayette Consolidated Government Chief Communications Officer Jamie Angelle said that if the percent positivity rate remains under 5% after Wednesday's update from LDH, then Mayor-President Josh Guillory would notify Edwards that Lafayette Parish will opt-in to allow bars to reopen.
According to Angelle, Guillory notified Edwards in a letter Wednesday afternoon that Lafayette Parish is opting-in pursuant to Proclamation Number 17 JBE 2021. This will allow bars in the parish to open for on-premises, indoor consumption at the full extent authorized by the governor’s current proclamation.
Bars allowed to open under the order must adhere to the following restrictions:
- Bars may reopen and offer tableside service only. Standing and bar service will be prohibited.
- Indoor capacity shall be limited to a 25% occupancy rate or 50 people, whichever is less.
- Outdoor capacity shall be limited to 50 people and only for tableside service.
- Tables shall be spaced in accordance with the State Fire Marshal’s social distancing guidelines.
- Service and sales of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall only occur between the hours of 8 A.M. and 11 P.M.
- No person under the age of twenty-one (21) shall be allowed on the premises.
Lafayette Parish now joins Acadia, Jeff Davis, St. Landry Parishes with two consecutive weeks of COVID-19 percent positivity rates below 5%.
Bars in St. Mary Parish reopened last week after meeting the criteria to opt in by falling under the required 5% COVID-19 positivity rate for two consecutive weeks.
Gov. John Bel Edwards's latest emergency proclamation went into effect on Nov. 25 and moved the state back into a modified Phase 2 where bars that are in parishes that exceed 5% positivity for two consecutive weeks are required to cease serving patrons indoors.
Edwards announced on Feb. 9 that Louisiana will remain in Phase 2, which was set to expire on Feb. 10, for another 21 days until March 3.
According to LDH, here are the percent positivity rates for each parish in Acadiana as of Wednesday, Feb. 24:
Acadia
- Feb. 4 - 10: 4.50%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 3.30%
- Week-to-Week change: -26.67%
Calcasieu Parish
- Feb. 4 - 10: 7.20%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 7.90%
- Week-to-Week change: 9.72%
Evangeline
- Feb. 4 - 10: 5.30%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 5.40%
- Week-to-Week change: 1.89%
Jeff Davis
- Feb. 4 - 10: 2.20%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 1.70%
- Week-to-Week change: -22.73%
Iberia
- Feb. 4 - 10: 5.80%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 6.60%
- Week-to-Week change: 13.79%
Lafayette
- Feb. 4 - 10: 3.70%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 4.50%
- Week-to-Week change: 21.62%
St. Landry
- Feb. 4 - 10: 4.70%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 4.30%
- Week-to-Week change: -8.51%
St. Martin
- Feb. 4 - 10: 5.60%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 5.40%
- Week-to-Week change: -3.57%
St. Mary
- Feb. 4 - 10: 3.80%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 6.00%
- Week-to-Week change: 57.89%
Vermilion
- Feb. 4 - 10: 5.10%
- Feb. 11 - 17: 4.50%
- Week-to-Week change: -11.76%
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
