Louisiana - COVID-19 Covered

Following Governor Edwards’ issuance of a statewide shelter in place, his office announced that the state will follow Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines for Essential Worker Functions, which includes “healthcare workers and caregivers, mental health and social service workers, pharmacy employees, workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail sales of food and beverage products, restaurant carryout and quick-serve food operations and food delivery employees, farmworkers, electricity, and utility industry employees, critical manufacturing employees (medical supply chains, energy, transportation, food, chemicals), petroleum, natural and propane gas workers, transportation and logistics workers, communications and information technology employees, financial services and banking industry employees.” (March 22)

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced businesses will be required to maintain logs of the names and contact information of patrons entering their establishments when the city reopens. The measure is intended to assist the city in contact tracing. (May 6)
The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health, has launched a web-based program, Open Safely, to “assist businesses and religious organizations with safely resuming operations” as the state public health emergency remains declared. (May 4)

Governor Edwards has requested that the Louisiana Legislature reallocate $175 million in unspent Main Street Recovery Grant Program money to help those impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including $75 million in funding directed to the state’s unemployment trust fund. (September 28)
Governor Edwards announced reimbursements for COVID-19-related expenditures, which were sent out to local government agencies on August 1. (July 26)
Governor Edwards announced at least $24 million emergency rental assistance program will be allocated to help struggling renters during the COVID-19 pandemic. (July 16)
The Louisiana Legislature approved $250 COVID-19 check for state front-line workers who continued working during early stages of the pandemic. (June 29)

Louisiana was allocated $2.4 million in CARES Act funding to support economic development programs. (November 20)
State Treasurer John Schroder announces Louisiana small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply for up to $15,000 in grants beginning July 28. (July 2)
Louisiana lawmakers approved a $34 billion state budget, which provides hundreds of millions for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (July 1)
Governor Edwards signed a bill allocating $300 million in federal COVID-19 aid to support small businesses in Louisiana. (June 15)

ECONOMIC RESPONSE