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 announced reimbursements for COVID-19-related expenditures will be 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)
As part of the CARES Act, Louisiana will receive more than $18 million in federal aid to support the state’s response to COVID-19, including funds to support homeless individuals impacted by the pandemic, as well as aid to bolster telehealth measures in health centers. (June 4)
As part of the CARES Act, Louisiana will receive more than $18.3 million in COVID-19 relief funding to support “low-income elderly and needy children, housing market disruptions, and reducing virus transmission.” (May 13)
Governor Edwards announced Louisiana has committed $10.3 million in community development block grant (CDBG) funds to New Orleans to support nine affordable rental housing projects “that were in danger of losing their funding” due to the coronavirus pandemic. (May 5)

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)
Governor Edwards announced an e-commerce initiative “to empower the online performance of Louisiana’s small businesses” during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. (June 3)
As part of the CARES Act, the Louisiana fishing and seafood industry will receive approximately $14.8 million in federal aid to help it overcome economic losses incurred to due to COVID-19 pandemic. (May 7)
The Louisiana Loan Guaranty Program will distribute $30 million in loans to companies with fewer than 100 employees struggling throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. (April 19)

ECONOMIC RESPONSE