Louisiana Gov Closes Bars, Issues Statewide Mask Rule

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports:

Amid spiraling coronavirus infections and steadily-increasing hospitalizations, Gov. John Bel Edwards late on Saturday said he is issuing a statewide mask mandate and closing bars, making Louisiana the latest Southern state to ratchet restrictions back up after months of reopening.

Starting Monday, people will be required to wear masks when entering establishments or outdoors if they cannot be at least six feet away from others, and bars will have to revert back to “to-go” service.

The decision comes on the heels of similar mask mandates in several of the state’s largest metro areas, including East Baton Rouge, Jefferson and Orleans parishes, along with neighboring states Texas and Mississippi.