JBE: Louisiana Back to Phase 2 "with modifications" Edit: Now with modifications

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Edwards said gatherings will be limited to 75 indoors and 150 outdoors. Restaurants, retailers and other businesses will move from 75% to 50% occupancy. Bars in parishes with over 5% test positivity must close to indoor consumption unless they have a restaurant conditional permit, in which case they can operate at 50%. The order goes into effect Wednesday, ahead of a Thanksgiving holiday that health experts worry will power the spread of the virus to unheard-of levels as families and friends gather for in-person celebrations.

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The new restrictions effectively close down bars that don’t serve food in Baton Rouge, and most other parishes, though the new order allows them to operate outdoor seating of less than 50 people. Only a handful of parishes, including Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and some other rural parishes still have low enough positivity rates to keep bars open, according to Health Department data. Jefferson, Lafayette, Caddo and East Baton Rouge parishes have positivity higher than 5%.

While the order will be in effect until late December, the governor indicated the restrictions would stay in place through the end of the year.

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