![Governor Edwards Brings Back Statewide Mask Mandate](https://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2021/02/GettyImages-1283114529.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Governor Edwards Brings Back Statewide Mask Mandate
In a press conference on Monday, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has announced that he is bringing back the statewide mask mandate.
The new mask mandate will go into effect on Wednesday, August 4th - for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people - age 5 and older. Edwards says the mandate is a temporary indoor mandate that will stay in place until at least September 1st but may be extended if he deems it necessary.
This statewide mask mandate also includes all school campuses, which includes K-12 and college students.
On Friday, Edwards mentioned that he was considering bringing back the statewide mandate after getting requests from numerous health officials to re-implement the statewide mask mandate.
“It has never been more clear that we are in an unchecked COVID surge that, in addition to threatening the health and wellbeing of many Louisianans, also threatens the capacity of our hospitals and medical facilities to deliver care to their patients," said Edwards. “This decision is not one I take lightly, but as the fourth surge of COVID-19 is upon us, we know that mask-wearing, when you are in public, is one way to greatly lower your risk of spreading or catching COVID. Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is another. We have the tools we need to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and save lives, and I am pleading with unvaccinated Louisianans to get their shot as soon as they can to protect themselves. We can end this nightmare, but it is going to take all of us working together to do it.”
EXCEPTIONS TO MANDATE
Edwards did list some exceptions to the mask mandate, such as:
- Anyone who has a medical condition that prevents the wearing of a face covering.
- Anyone who is consuming a drink or food
- Anyone who is trying to communicate with a person who is hearing impaired
- Anyone who is giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience
- Anyone temporarily removing his or her face covering for identification purposes
Lowering a Child’s Stress and Anxiety When Returning Back to School
8 Things You Touch All Day That Need To Be Sanitized
Thanks to The Heroes on The Frontline Battling The Coronavirus
Coping with Grief During the Coronavirus Pandemic
More From 99.9 KTDY
![Benny Grunch ‘Ain’t No Place to Pee on Mardi Gras Day’ [Video]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2011/01/porta-potty.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Van Climbs Rail of Mississippi River Bridge, Closes I-10](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/06/attachment-Van-on-Bridge.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Appeals Court Clears Way For Second Redistricting Session](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/06/attachment-John-Minor-Wisdom-Court.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Justice Department Opens Probe Into Louisiana State Police](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2021/05/YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Elderly Woman Shot, Killed at New Orleans Graduation](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/05/attachment-Xavier-Shooting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![One Dead, Three Wounded in Waffle House Shooting](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/02/attachment-Shooting-Graphic-KPEL.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sinkhole Closes I-10 Off Ramp in New Orleans](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/05/attachment-Nola-Sinkhole.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![East Baton Rouge Deputy Dies Six Years After Ambush Shooting](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/09/Nick-Tullier-Facebook-via-Nick-Tullier-Strong.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Bill to Eliminate Death Penalty Dead on Arrival](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2021/07/attachment-GettyImages-1219410516.jpg?w=980&q=75)