Opening Up Terrebonne Parish - Phase 1 Guidelines for Individuals & Businesses

05/15/2020 07:32 PM

Prohibited Businesses in Phase I

As per the Governor John Bel Edwards, the following non-essential businesses shall remain closed to the public and members:

All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, location with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, arcades, fairs, pool halls, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, concert and music halls, adult entertainment venues, bowling alleys, bars without a Louisiana Department of Health food service permit, and other similar business such as bounce houses and water slides.

Certain personal care and grooming businesses including massage establishments, tattoo parlors and other similar businesses.

INDIVIDUALS

These guidelines are designed to mitigate the risk of resurgence of the COVID-19 virus and to protect the most vulnerable residents of Terrebonne Parish.

The 10PM to 5AM parish wide curfew and “Stay at Home” mandate has been lifted.  To preserve the public health and safety, and to ensure the healthcare system is capable of serving all citizens in need, all individuals within the State of Louisiana should stay at home as much as possible to avoid unnecessary exposure to COVID-19.

All individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should stay at home, unless travelling outside the home for an essential activity, such as:

  • Obtaining food, medicine, and other similar goods necessary for the individual or a family member of the individual.
  • Obtaining medical care and treatment and other similar vital services for an individual or a family member of the individual.
  • Going to and from an individual’s workplace.
  • Going to and from the home of a family member.
  • Going to and from an individual’s place of worship.
  • Engaging in outdoor activity, provided individuals maintain a distance of six feet from one another.

Those individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness, as designated by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), are those with conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, compromised immune systems (including from smoking, cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, or use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medications), diabetes, serious heart disease (including heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies and hypertension), chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease, or severe obesity or those who are 65 or older or living in a nursing home or long-term care facility.

Persons congregating or loitering inside, outside or near any business premises is strictly prohibited.

Individuals should continue to practice good hygiene by:

  • Washing your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently use items or surfaces.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the crease of your elbow.
  • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
  • Strongly consider using face covering while in public, and particularly when using mass transit or in places that are difficult to maintain a distance of 6 feet, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail outlets.

Individuals who are sick should stay home:

  • Do not go to work or school.
  • Contact and follow the advice of your medical provider.

Avoid socializing in groups that do not readily allow for strict social distancing.

Wearing of Masks

All individuals should consider a “common sense” approach to wearing face coverings.  The Terrebonne Parish Government and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the wearing of face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as restaurants, fast food restaurants and chains, big box stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies and other retail outlets.  It is important to maintain 6-feet social distancing to continue to slow the spread of the virus.  The use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used. Visit the following website for information on how to make and wear a cloth face covering:  ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Coronavirus/resources/CDC-DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf

Cloth face covering recommended by the CDC are not N95 or surgical masks.  N95 and surgical masks are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by the CDC.

Cloth face coverings should be routinely placed in a common washing machine depending on the frequency of use.

Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing the face covering.

GENERAL BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

In an effort to protect your employees and your customers, the Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove is requiring all businesses to follow the Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, proclamation dated May 14, 2020 (Proclamation Number 58 JBE 2020) the guidelines published for your particular business by the State of Louisiana, State Fire Marshal’s Office which can be found at the following webpage:  opensafely.la.gov, then clicking on “Download Phase One Documents”.

All businesses or organizations, unless otherwise stated, shall be allowed to continue operations, subject to the following conditions:

  • No establishment shall exceed 25% of the total occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and members of the public present in the building at one time.
  • All employees and owners of such businesses shall maintain social distancing to the extent possible between themselves and members of the public and shall wear face coverings at all times if interacting with the public.
  • Waiting rooms, lobbies, or other areas where members of the public may congregate (except for bathrooms) shall be closed to the public. Members of the public should be required to wait outside, while maintaining social distancing, or in vehicles.
  • Any business operating pursuant to this subsection shall follow the applicable guidance from the State  Fire  Marshal   published   at opensafely.la.gov and the Louisiana Department of Health with regard to sanitization and disinfection.

All businesses should also follow the guidelines below:

  • All businesses and organizations shall require that any owner or employee having interaction or contact with the public shall wear a mask or a face covering.
  • All businesses are required to have the availability of hand sanitizer at all customer entrances to the business.
  • All businesses should clean and sanitize all surfaces and items that are frequently touched by employees and customers like doorknobs, handles, light switches, countertops, refrigerator and freezer door handles, gas pump handles, shopping carts, etc. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces, as well as high-touch surfaces, followed by disinfection is a best practice measure of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.  Follow the CDC guidance for proper cleaning and disinfecting.  cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
  • Clean and disinfect the restrooms regularly.

Other recommendations include the following:

  • Continue to encourage telework, whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
  • If possible, return to work in phases.
  • Close common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact or enforce strict social distancing protocols.
  • Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel.
  • Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of the vulnerable population.

Restaurants, Cafes and Coffee Shops

  • All restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops shall be allowed to continue drive-up or curb-side delivery service.
  • All restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops shall be allowed to begin dine­ in service under the following conditions:
    • No establishment shall exceed 25% of the total occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and number of members of the public present in the building at one
    • All employees and owners at such businesses shall  maintain strict social distancing between themselves and members of the public and shall wear face coverings at all times if  interacting with the
    • Waiting areas shall be closed. Members of the public should be required to make reservations or to wait outside, while maintaining social distancing, or in
    • All buffets or other common food stations shall remain
  • Any bar with an approved food service permit from the Louisiana Department of Health may reopen under the same requirements as a restaurant, café or coffee shop.
  • Any business operating pursuant to this subsection shall follow the applicable guidance from the State Fire Marshal published at opensafely.la.gov and the Louisiana Department of Health with regard to sanitization and disinfection.

Hair Salons, Nail Salons, Barber Shops

All beauty shops, salons, and barber shops shall be allowed to operate under the following conditions:

  • No establishment shall exceed 25% of the total capacity as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and members of the public present in the building at one time.
  • No establishment shall provide esthetic services as defined in La. R.S. 37:563.
  • Waiting areas shall be closed. Members of the public should be required to make reservations or to wait outside, while maintaining social distancing, or in vehicles.
  • All employees and owners at such businesses shall maintain as much as possible strict social distancing between themselves and between members of the public and shall wear face coverings at all times if interacting with the public.
  • Any beauty shops, salons, and barber shops operating pursuant to this subsection shall follow the applicable guidance from the State Fire Marshal published at opensafely.la.gov and the Louisiana Department of Health with regard to sanitization and disinfection.

Shopping Malls

All shopping malls shall be allowed to operate under the following conditions:

  • Shopping malls may reopen at no more than 25% of the total occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and members of the public present in the building at one time.
  • Any store or business establishment in a shopping all may reopen at no more than 25% of the total occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and members of the public present in the building at one time.
  • Before any shopping mall may open pursuant to this subsection, the mall shall submit and have an approved reopening plan from the State Fire Marshal.
  • All employees or owners at any mall businesses shall maintain strict social distancing between themselves and between members of the public and shall wear face coverings at all times if interacting with the public.
  • All common areas or locations where the public may congregate shall remain closed.
  • Any establishment in operation shall follow guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health with regard to sanitization and disinfection.

Churches and Other Faith-Based Organizations:

  • No establishment shall exceed 25% of the total occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and members of the public present in the building at one time.
  • Outdoor services may continue pursuant to the May 1, 2020 guidance set forth by the State Fire Marshal.
  • All employees of churches and faith-based organizations shall maintain social distancing to the extent possible between themselves and members of the public and shall wear face coverings at all times if interacting with the public.
  • Lobbies or other areas where members of the public may congregate (except for bathrooms) shall be closed to the public.
  • Any church or faith-based organization shall follow the applicable guidance from the State Fire Marshal published at opensafely.la.gov.

Casinos, Racetracks, and Video Poker Establishments:

  • No establishment shall exceed 25% of the total occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and members of the public present in the building at one time.
  • No more than 50% of gaming positions shall be in use at any one time and all utilized gaming positions shall be at least 6 feet apart from one another with no two adjoining gaming positions in use at the same time.
  • All establishments shall be required to have approved reopening plans from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board prior to reopening.
  • All racetracks shall be required to have an approved reopening plan from the Louisiana Racing Commission prior to reopening.
  • All employees and owners of such businesses shall maintain social distancing to the extent possible between themselves and members of the public and shall wear face coverings at all times if interacting with the public.
  • Lobbies or other areas where members of the public may congregate (except for bathrooms) shall be closed to the public. Members of the public should be required to wait outside, while maintaining social distancing, or in vehicles.

Gyms and Fitness Centers:

  • No establishment shall exceed 25% of the total occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal, counting both the number of employees and members of the public present in the building at one time.
  • All employees and owners of such businesses shall maintain social distancing to the extent possible between themselves and members of the public and shall wear face coverings at all times if interacting with the public.
  • Waiting rooms, lobbies, or other areas where members of the public may congregate (except for bathrooms) shall be closed to the public. Members of the public should be required to wait outside, while maintaining social distancing, or in vehicles.
  • Any business operating pursuant to this subsection shall follow the applicable guidance from the State Fire Marshal published at opensafely.la.gov and the Louisiana Department of Health with regard to sanitization and disinfection.

Industrial Facilities

Industrial facilities are defined as construction and fabrication yards, shipyards, oil and gas service companies, machine shops, trucking companies, cement companies, bulk fuel distribution and similar facilities.

Industrial facilities are required to follow the Occupational Hazard and Safety Administration (OHSA) “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19”, which is OHSA publication number 3990-03 2020.  This document can be found at osha.gov/Publications/OSHA 3990.pdf. There will be no exceptions to this publication and all general business requirements in this document shall be implemented.

 

Documents