Phase One: Safest at Home – beginning May 16, 2020 (5.12.2020)

Phase One will ease the Stay Home Order and restrictions on some low-risk operations, while implementing limits on occupancy, social distancing measures, and requirements for personal protective equipment. If milestones for progress are not met or if there is a spike in cases or deaths, it may be necessary to move back to stricter measures. Phase One in Orleans Parish will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday, May 16.

What Stays the Same

Continue to stay home except for essential needs and other permitted activities on a limited basis.
Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
Gatherings are limited to a household size. Limit the number of people with whom you regularly come into contact to a small and consistent “crew.”
Everyone must wear a mask or face covering when performing activities in public. You do not need to wear a face covering while performing outdoor recreation but you must abide by all social distancing and hygiene rules.
Practice social distancing, wash hands often, and frequently disinfect surfaces.
Continue to work from home if you are able.
Stay home if you are sick.
If you have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, you must quarantine for 14 days.
All non-essential businesses and organizations will continue to stay closed during Phase One, except under the following conditions, as outlined by the Governor’s Office and the Mayor’s Office. These exceptions are only allowed while paired with strict requirements for social distancing, face coverings and other PPE, and hygiene and cleaning protocols.

Operations Allowed in Phase One

Bolded items are specific requirements for businesses operating in Orleans Parish:

Shopping malls and retail stores

Stores with exterior entrances limited to 25% of permitted occupancy. Stores within malls with no exterior entrances remain closed.
Curb-side pickup and online shopping are highly encouraged.

Food service establishments

Restaurants with table service should utilize a reservation or appointment system. (Keep information for 21 days.)
Only bars with a Louisiana Department of Health food permit are allowed to serve food with same restrictions as restaurant.
Outdoor seating is allowed.
Indoor seating is limited to 25% of permitted occupancy.
Tables must be arranged to keep parties at least six feet away from others.
Take-out and delivery are highly encouraged.
No restaurant or food service establishment should serve any alcoholic beverage to a patron who is not also purchasing food.
Video poker is not allowed.

Beauty salons, barber shops, and nail salons

Service by reservation or appointment only.
Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy.
Chairs must be arranged to keep people at least six feet away from others.
Gloves must be worn and changed between customers.

Houses of worship

Services are limited to 25% of permitted occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
No choirs permitted.
Six feet of distance between people and small groups must be maintained and crowd managers must be provided.
Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
Interior gathering spaces (i.e. fellowship halls, classrooms) cannot be used.
Community assistance services are permitted.
Online or drive-up services are highly encouraged.

Childcare, early learning centers, K-12 school and extracurricular programs

Limited to 10 people per group, including adults.
Contact sports are not permitted.

Movie theaters

Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
Six feet of distance between people and small groups must be maintained and crowd managers must be provided.
Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
Interior gathering spaces cannot be used.

Museums, zoos, aquariums

Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy.
Admission must be staggered using an appointment or reservation system.
Six feet of distance between people and small groups must be maintained and crowd managers must be provided.
Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
Interior gathering spaces cannot be used.

Gyms and Fitness Centers

Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy.
Contact sports and group fitness classes are not allowed.
Individual personal training allowed without physical touching and with strict social distancing.
Equipment and exercise areas must be arranged to keep people at least six feet away from others.
No use of locker rooms, showers, saunas, or spas allowed.

Office buildings and businesses

People who can work from home should continue to do so.
Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy.
Conference rooms limited to 10 people with six feet between each individual.
Virtual meetings are highly encouraged.

Libraries

Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy.
Story time or other group events are not permitted.

Outdoor recreation spaces, sports complexes, parks and playgrounds

Parks and playgrounds can reopen, but residents must avoid close contact with others.
Permitted sports include running, biking, lap swimming, tennis, golf, archery, curling, softball, and baseball. No spectating from bleachers nor dugout use will be allowed.
Contact sports are not permitted.

Racetracks

No spectators allowed.
Casinos and video poker not allowed.

Not Allowed in Phase One: Casinos and video poker (not allowed in Orleans Parish); Spas; Tattoo, and Massage Parlors; Live entertainment, Amusement, and event venues; Children’s museums; Bars without food permits; Private gatherings with more than a reasonable household size

If you have a business or an organization in Orleans Parish, you are required to register with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office at OpenSafely.la.gov. This process will answer the important questions:

When can I partially or fully open my business?
What are the steps to open my business?
What changes can be expected for businesses that have been operating, but with restrictions?
What restrictions are my business subject to, if any?
Are there any new sanitation requirements for my business?
Are there any personal protective requirements (masks, gloves, etc.) for my employees?

See additional resources for operating safely

The Department of Safety and Permits and the New Orleans Police Department will enforce requirements for Phase One operations and the limit on gatherings. Anyone not following these requirements may be found in violation of Chapter 54 Section 501 of the New Orleans Criminal Code, which may result in a misdemeanor citation and a fine up to $500 or six months in jail.