Safe At Work

These materials are offered for consideration to our community - they should not be seen as a specific endorsement by the Chamber at this time. However, it is the goal of the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber to empower our community to create their own Safe at Work plan for dealing with COVID issues that addresses business specific issues. We realize there is no one size fits all plan, and hope that you are able to use these resources to create a plan that works for your business. Please feel free to reach out to the Chamber for more information or with any questions you might have. We are here for you!

Business are encouraged to use the Bring Back Louisiana Toolkits Click Here for Flyer

Update 3/31/21:

After Sustained Improvement in Vaccinations and COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations, Gov. Edwards Eases Some COVID-19 Restrictions, Keeps Statewide Mask Mandate

Some restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, including strict occupancy restrictions for bars and restaurants, will be eased this week following sustained improvements in COVID-19 hospitalizations and vaccinations, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday. Social distancing of six feet will still be required in businesses and Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate remains in place.

“At this point in the pandemic, our three best tools for slowing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our hospitals operational are vaccinations, masks and distance,” Gov. Edwards said. “Right now, we have fewer people hospitalized with COVID-19 than we did this time last year, and we have a greatly improved supply of three highly effective and safe COVID-19 vaccines, which are available to everyone 16 and older in Louisiana. While COVID-19 and its variants remain a major public health risk, using the tools of vaccination, masking and distancing, we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. At least 20 states and one region of Louisiana are experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations, likely because of the U.K. variant. We aren’t yet out of the woods.

“Vaccination is the best way we have to put this pandemic in our rearview mirror. While we work to vaccinate even more of our neighbors, now more than ever it is critical that people wear facemasks when they are in public and keep six feet of social distance between them and anyone who isn’t in their immediate household,” Gov. Edwards said. “Today we are taking an important step forward, but all of us play a role in making sure our cases don’t spike again. Get your vaccine now that it’s your turn and help your friends and family members get their shots as well. Working together, we can bring back Louisiana.”

The Governor’s updated public health emergency order keeps requirements for six feet of social distancing in all businesses, as well as other mitigation measures deemed necessary by the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal and posted on OpenSafely.La.gov. The order runs for 28 days and expires on April 28, 2021.

The Governor’s updated order removes the limitations on when bars and restaurants may serve alcohol, defaulting to local ordinances. People younger than 21 are still not allowed inside bars and bars are only allowed to provide patrons with socially distanced seated service, under the new order.

Salons and beauty shops, gyms and fitness centers, malls and casinos also will not have capacity limits, though social distancing and the mask mandate remain in place along with any other additional measures that may be required by the State Fire Marshal.

Businesses and venues that host larger gatherings, like receptions halls, will remain capped at 50 percent of their capacity, with a maximum gathering size of not more than 500 people indoors and strict social distancing. Outdoor events will be capped at 50 percent capacity and social distancing is also required. Some events may require prior approval by the State Fire Marshal. Businesses should visit OpenSafely.La.gov for more information.

Indoor and outdoor sporting events will be limited to 50 percent of their capacity, with social distancing. Masks are required under all circumstances.

Click here to read the order.
Click here to view the data about cases, hospitalizations and deaths across Louisiana.
Click here for information about COVID-19 vaccines and where to get them in Louisiana.

Click here to volunteer for Bring Back Louisiana, the state’s grassroots effort to help everyone get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Updated information from: OpenSafely.la.gov updated on 3/31/2021:

Link	Link Description	Uploaded On
Current	March 31, 2021 - Amusements, Water Parks, Indoor Play Centers	Amusements, Water Parks, Indoor Play Centers, Similar Activities	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021- Beauty Salon, Barber Shop, Nail Salon, or Tanning Salon	Salons and Barber Shops	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 20201 - Shopping or Retail Outlets	Shopping or Retail Outlets	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Fitness Center or Health Club	Fitness Centers or Health Clubs	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Indoor and Outdoor Sports, Stadium & Arenas	Indoor and Outdoor Sports, Stadiums & Arenas	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Events or Event Venues	Events or Event Venues	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Bars, Nightclubs, and Micro-Breweries	Bars, Nightclubs, and Micro-Breweries	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 Restaurants, Cafes and Coffee Shops	Restaurants, Cafes and Coffee Shops	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Conferences and Conventions	Conferences and Conventions	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Pool Halls, Bowling, Arcades, Skating Rinks	Pool Halls, Bowling, Indoor Play Centers, Arcades, Skating Rinks	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Theaters, Concert or Music Halls	Theaters, Concert or Music Halls	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Outdoor Playground or Play Center	Outdoor Playground or Play Center	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums	Museums and Aquariums	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Personal Care Services (Close Contact)	Personal Care Services (Close Contact)	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Libraries	Libraries	3/30/2021
Current	March 31, 2021 - Business or Organization	Business or Organization	3/30/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Conferences and Conventions	Conferences and Conventions	3/9/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Pool Halls, Bowling, Arcades, Skating Rinks	Pool Halls, Bowling, Arcades, Skating Rinks	3/3/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Indoor and Outdoor Sports, Stadiums & Arenas	Indoor and Outdoor Sports, Stadiums & Arenas	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Outdoor Playground or Play Center	Outdoor Playground or Play Center	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Salons and Barber Shops	Salons and Barber Shops	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Fitness Centers or Health Clubs	Fitness Centers or Health Clubs	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Shopping or Retail Outlets	Shopping or Retail Outlets	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Theaters, Concert or Music Halls	Theaters, Concert or Music Halls	3/16/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Events or Event Venues	Events or Event Venues	3/9/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021-Personal Care Services (Close Contact)	Personal Care Services (Close Contact)	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Bar, Nightclubs, and Micro-Breweries	Bars, Nightclubs, and Micro-Breweries	3/9/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Business or Organization	Business or Organization	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Libraries	Libraries	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Amusements, Fairs, Festivals, Play Centers, Similar Activities	Amusements, Fairs, Festivals, Indoor Play Centers, Similar Activities	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums	Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums	3/2/2021
	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Restaurants, Cafes and Coffee Shops	Restaurants, Cafes and Coffee Shops	3/9/2021
Current	Phase 3- March 17, 2021 Graduations	Graduations	3/17/2021
Current	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Swimming Pools and Aquatic Venues	Swimming Pools and Aquatic Venues	3/5/2021
Current	Phase 3 - March 3, 2021- Places of Worship	Places of Worship	3/2/2021
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Business or Organization	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Business or Organization	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Fitness Center or Health Club	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Fitness Centers or Health Clubs	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Place of Worship	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Places of Worship	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Beauty Salon, Barber Shop, Nail Salon, or Tanning Salon	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Salons and Barber Shops	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Shopping or Retail Outlet	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Shopping or Retail Outlets	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Swimming Pools and Aquatic Venues	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Swimming Pools and Aquatic Venues	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Amusement Park, Sports Park, Fair, Carnival, Water Park, Haunted Houses, or Theme Park	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Parks, Carnivals and Haunted Houses	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Movie Theater, Concert or Music Hall	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Movie Theaters, Concert or Music Halls	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Museum or Aquarium	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Museums and Aquariums	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Outdoor Playground or Play Center	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Outdoor Playgrounds or Play Centers	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Personal Care Service (Close Contact)	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Personal Care Services	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Pool hall, Bowling Alley, Skating Rink, or Arcade	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Pool halls, Bowling Alleys, Skating Rinks, or Arcades	2/24/2021
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Events or Event Venues	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Events or Event Venues	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Stadium, Arena, Ball Courts, Gymnasium, Outdoor Sports	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Stadiums, Arenas, Ball Courts, Gymnasiums, Outdoor Sports	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Library	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Libraries	11/25/2020
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Nightclub, Tavern or Bar	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Nightclubs, Taverns or Bars	2/13/2021
	Return to Revised Phase 2- Restaurant, Cafe, or Coffee Shop	Revised Phase 2 Guidelines for Restaurants, Cafes, and Coffee Shops	2/13/2021
	Phase 2- Pools	Phase 2 Guidance for Pools	6/4/2020
	Phase 3- Places of Worship	Phase 3 Guidelines for Places of Worship	11/2/2020
	Phase 2- Places of Worship	Phase 2 Guidance for Places of Worship	6/4/2020
	Phase 2- Fitness Centers	Phase 2 Guidance for Fitness Centers	7/12/2020
	Phase 3- Other Amusements	Phase 3 Guidelines for Other Amusements	10/12/2020
	Phase 3- Indoor and Outdoor Sports, Racing	Phase 3 Guidelines for Indoor/Outdoor Sports and Racing	9/14/2020
	Phase 3- Museums Zoos Aquariums	Phase 3 Guidelines for Museums, Zoos, Aquariums	10/22/2020
	Phase 3- Event Venues	Phase 3 Guidance for Event Venues	9/18/2020
	Phase 3- Shopping and Retail	Phase 3 Guidelines for Shopping and Retail	9/12/2020
	Phase 3- Libraries	Phase 3 Guidelines for Libraries	9/12/2020
	Phase 3- Swimming Pools and Aquatic Facilities	Phase 3 Guidelines for Swimming Pools and Aquatic Facilities	9/12/2020
	Phase 3- Restaurants Cafes Bars	Phase 3 Guidelines for Restaurants, Cafes, Bars	9/30/2020
	Phase 3- Tattoo Massage Esthetician	Phase 3 Guidelines for Tattoo, Massage, Esthetician	9/11/2020
	Phase 3- Salons Barbers Tanning	Phase 3 Guidelines for Salons, Barbers, Tanning	9/15/2020
	Phase 3- Movie Theaters	Phase 3 Guidelines for Movie Theaters	9/11/2020
	Phase 3- Fitness Centers and Health Clubs	Phase 3 Guidelines for Fitness Centers and Health Clubs	10/13/2020
	Phase 3- Business and Organizations	Phase 3 Guidelines for Businesses and Organizations	9/11/2020
	Temporary School Partition Guidance	Temporary School Partition Guidance	8/13/2020
	Return to School Certification	Return to School Certification	8/4/2020
	Return to Work Certification	Return to Work Certification	8/4/2020
	Return to Work Guidance	Return to Work Guidance	7/27/2020
	Face Covering Order Guidance	Face Covering Order Guidance	9/16/2020
	Phase 2- Other Amusements	Phase 2 Guidance for Other Amusements	7/12/2020
	Phase 2-Arcades Bowling Alleys Skating Rinks Pool Halls	Phase 2 Guidance for Arcades/Bowling Alleys/Skating Rinks/Pool Halls	7/12/2020
	Phase 2- Outdoor Playcenters/Playgrounds	Phase 2 Guidance for Outdoor Playcenters and Playgrounds	6/4/2020
	Phase 2- Outdoor Sports, Racing	Phase 2 Guidance for Outdoor Sports & Racing	6/5/2020
	Phase 2- Event Venues	Phase 2 Guidance for Event Venues	9/4/2020
	Phase 2- Tattoo, Massage, Esthetician	Phase 2 Guidance for Tattoo Shops, Massage Parlors and Esthetician Services	6/5/2020
	Phase 2- Salons, Barber Shops, Tanning	Phase 2 Guidance for Salons, Barber Shops, Tanning	6/4/2020
	Phase 2- Business/Organizations/Other	Phase 2 Guidance for Businesses, Organizations or Other Business Types Not Closed	6/4/2020
	Phase 2- Movie Theaters	Phase 2 Guidance for Movie Theaters	6/5/2020
	Phase 2- Libraries	Phase 2 Guidance for Libraries	6/4/2020
	Phase 2- Museums/Zoos/Aquariums	Phase 2 Guidance for Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, Etc.	6/4/2020
	Phase 2- Shopping Malls/Retail Stores	Phase 2 Guidance for Shopping Malls and Retail Stores	6/4/2020
	Phase 2- Restaurants/Bars	Phase 2 Guidance for Restaurants/Bars Etc.	7/23/2020
	Phase 1 Documents	Phase 1 Documents
	Phase 1- Salons/Barber Shops	Phase 1 Guidance for Salons/Barber Shops	5/21/2020
	Phase 1- Outdoor Sports	Phase 1 Guidance for Outdoor Sports	5/20/2020
	Phase 1-Shopping Malls/Retail Stores	Phase 1 Guidance for Shopping Malls/Retail Stores	5/15/2020
	Phase 1- Business/Organization	Phase 1 Guidance for Business/Organization	5/14/2020
	Phase 1- Fitness Center/Health Club	Phase 1 Guidance for Fitness Centers/Health Clubs	5/14/2020
	Phase 1- Libraries	Phase 1 Guidance for Libraries	5/14/2020
	Phase 1- Movie Theaters	Phase 1 Guidance for Movie Theaters	5/14/2020
	Phase 1- Museums/Zoos/Aquariums	Phase 1 Guidance for Museums/Zoos/Aquariums	5/14/2020
	Phase 1-Places of Worship	Phase 1 Guidance for Places of Worship	5/14/2020
	Phase 1- Restaurants	Phase 1 Guidance for Restaurants Etc.	5/14/2020

Register at Opensafely.la.gov

Businesses in Louisiana are encouraged to register at opensafely.la.gov in order to reopen and receive guidance as the state moves through a phased reopening.

Other resources:

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health posts updated case numbers everyday at noon online at LDH.Louisiana.gov/coronavirus.

Questions?

If you have questions about coronavirus, please contact the Louisiana 211 Network by dialing dial 211. Or, you can text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available.

Stressed about COVID-19? We're here to talk.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency, there is a special Keeping Calm through COVID Hotline you can call. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.

Call 1-866-310-7977 24/7

Trained counselors available 24/7. All calls are confidential.

Volunteer Resources

Because of our critical need for healthcare workers, we have created a medical volunteer website in order to mobilize healthcare students and graduates from Louisiana universities and colleges to support the existing healthcare workforce that is quickly getting stretched thin. The website is also available to active members or retirees of Louisiana’s healthcare workforce who are willing and able to assist.

http://covid-19lavolunteers.org/

Delta is stepping up to help Louisiana during this trying time. Any volunteer healthcare workers trying to come to Louisiana can do so for free on Delta Airliines. Before arriving, healthcare workers have to register and become credentialed through Louisiana Volunteers in Action at lava.dhh.louisiana.gov.

Unemployment Resources

If your workplace has temporarily closed or you have been told to take unpaid time off, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits through the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

To file a claim, go to www.louisianaworks.net/hire or call 866-783-5567.

Medicaid Resources

If you have lost your job or if you have reduced hours you may be eligible for Medicaid.

You can apply online at MyMedicaid.la.gov.

You can also apply by phone by calling 1-888-342-6207 or by mail by sending information to:

Louisiana Medicaid
P.O. Box 91283
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

Local Medicaid offices are currently closed to the public. If additional assistance is needed, you can call 1-888-342-6207.

Business Resources

SBA offers a three-step process for disaster loans explained here. To get started immediately, visit SBA.gov/Disaster.

Louisiana Economic Development also is offering COVID-19: Business Resources, an online guide to assistance available for impacted businesses. Look for updates to the guide at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Homeowner Resources

FHFA has established a dedicated webpage with relevant updates and resources available here: www.fhfa.gov/coronavirus.

Renter Resources

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) COVID-19 Hotline: 1-844-244-7871

Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Central Standard Time

Online applications are also available at www.slls.org.

SNAP

For information about SNAP or an application, Louisiana residents can text GETSNAP (no spaces) to 898211, email LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov or call 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578).

Food Bank info

For information on your local foodbank, click here.

Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration has approved that ALL 64 Louisiana parishes are eligible for COVID-19 business aid.

Louisiana businesses may apply as follows: