Open Safe SBC
Rethink. Reopen. Rebound.RETURN TO PHASE 2 CHANGES
Click Here for Updated Industry Specific Guidance
Order begins November 25 – expires December 23rd:
- Louisiana’s Statewide mask mandate remains in place.
-
Major changes to Louisiana’s COVID-19 restrictions include the below:
- All Louisianans are encouraged to avoid gatherings of individuals not part of their households.
- All businesses, private and public sectors, are encouraged to use remote work where they can.
- All restaurants are limited to 50% of their indoor capacity. Restaurants should move as much dining outdoors as they can. Social distancing is required.
- For bars in parishes above 5% positivity, bars are closed to indoor sales and consumption but open for outdoor consumption at tables only and at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people. Social distancing is required. Take-out and delivery will still be available.
- Retail businesses at 50% capacity, except for essential businesses, as defined by federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
- Gyms may be open at 50% of their capacity.
- Places of worship will remain at a maximum of 75% of their capacity or the number of people who can physically distance with at least six feet between each immediate household. The State Fire Marshal will put out additional COVID mitigation measures to make services safer.
- Barber and beauty shops, and nail salons may open at 50% of their capacity.
- Movie theaters may open at 50% of their capacity.
- Indoor gatherings at event/receptions centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 75 individuals.
- Outdoor gatherings at event/reception centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 150 individuals when strict physical distancing is not possible.
- All sporting events will be capped at 25% capacity.
Keeping our employees and customers safe is the best way to reopen our economy and keep it open.
Included below are healthcare supported recommendations to help businesses reopen and operate safely.
By following these guidelines you can join the effort to help Shreveport-Bossier Open Safe.
Keeping the workplace safe

Practice Good Hygiene

Stop Handshaking & Avoid Touching Face

Increase Ventilation

Use Video Conferencing

Adjust/Postpone Large Gatherings

Limit Business Travel

Limit Food Sharing

Stay Home If You Or A Family Member Is Sick

Use Booking System To Stagger Customers

Limit Cash Handling

Use Online Transactions

Practice Social Distancing

Hold Meetings In Open Spaces

Remind Staff Of Hand Washing

Sanitize High Traffic Areas

Communicate Covid-19 Plan With Staff
Downloadable Resources






NWLA REOPENING GUIDE
- Insight into the nature and spread of coronaviruses and COVID-19
- Helpful tips to help prevent the spread of the virus.
- Instructions for protection of employees as well as customers
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for face coverings.
- Instructions for PPE use
- Template flyer for return to work for employees who have had the virus
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC GUIDANCE
Click on your industry icon below to download guidance specific to your industry.
NOTE: A red border indicates updated Phase 3 information
A maroon border indicates updated Phase 3 information
A blue border indicates updated Phase 2 information
A green border indicates updated Phase 1 information
PHASE 2 BUSINESS OPENINGS
Can This Business Open?
The Governor has started Phase Two in Louisiana, which means more businesses can operate with some restrictions in place to protect the public and their employees. Additional businesses will be able to operate in Phase Three.
Business owners should review the updated Phase Two order, as this is the best way to determine if they can open, and refer to guidance from the State Fire Marshal (SFM) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) shared on OpenSafely.la.gov. No business is required to register at this site to reopen. Below is an overview of which businesses can be open.
Please note: employees that deal with the public MUST wear face masks when a business is open, and all businesses must practice social distancing. The Governor strongly urges people to wear masks or cloth face coverings when they are in public and interacting with members outside of their households.
As of September 11, 2020:
TYPE OF BUSINESS |
CAN IT OPEN IN PHASE TWO? |
Essential Business (as defined by the federal government) |
Yes, all employees dealing with the public must wear face masks.
|
Non-essential retail (sometimes called “gray area” businesses) |
Yes, all employees dealing with the public must wear face masks, occupancy is limited to 50%.
|
Restaurants, cafes, coffee shops |
Yes, all employees dealing with the public must wear face masks, occupancy is limited to 50%. Takeout, curbside pickup and outdoor service are allowed.
|
Churches and places of worship | Yes, at 75% of occupancy, with social distancing and masks for public facing employees. |
Casinos and video poker establishments |
Yes, with an approved plan from the Gaming Control Board; at 50% occupancy and with 75% of gaming positions. All employees and the public must wear masks. |
Shopping malls | Yes, with an approved plan from the State Fire Marshal at 75% of occupancy, with food courts opened under restaurant guidance. All employees and the public must wear masks. |
Gyms and fitness centers |
Yes, at 50% occupancy, with enhanced sanitation.
|
Bars and breweries with LDH food permits | Depends, for bars in parishes above 5% positivity, bars are closed to indoor sales and consumption but open for outdoor consumption at tables only and at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people. Social distancing is required. Take-out and delivery will still be available. . |
Bars and breweries without LDH food permits | Depends, Parishes with a five percent or lower positivity rate for two consecutive weeks may opt-in to opening bars at 25 percent capacity or no more than 50 people. |
Museums (including children’s museums), zoos, aquariums | Yes, at 50% occupancy, with no “tactile” exhibits. |
Beauty salons, barber shops, nail salons |
Yes, at 50% occupancy and with appropriate protection measures. |
Movie theaters | Yes, at 50% occupancy. |
Racetracks | Yes, with an approved plan from the Louisiana Racing Commission. |
Places of amusement, like carnivals, fairs and festivals, amusement parks, water parks, fairs, contact sports, theme parks, arcades, trampoline parks and other similar businesses
|
No, but they may submit a plan to the State Fire Marshal to request consideration to reopen during Phase 2 or to begin planning for Phase 3. The SFM will consult with LDH about these opening plans, which will be at no more than 50% of occupancy.
|
Summer Camps | Day camps may open under guidance from the Department of Education. |
Massage establishments and spas, esthetician services | Yes, at 50% occupancy and under strict guidance from the Board of Cosmetology. |
Tattoo parlors | Yes, at 50% occupancy and under strict guidance from LDH. |
Tanning Salons | Yes (beds only), at 50% occupancy. Air brush and hand applied tanning are NOT included. |
Sleep Away Camps | No |
Community / Neighborhood Pools | Yes, under strict guidance and at 50% occupancy. |
Visits to Nursing Homes / Hospitals | No |
Reception Halls, Event Centers and Wedding Venues |
Yes, Indoor gatherings at event/receptions centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 75 individuals. Outdoor gatherings at event/reception centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 150 individuals when strict physical distancing is not possible. |
Pool halls, bowling alleys and skating rinks | Yes, at 50% occupancy, but children MUST be accompanied by adults. |
Outdoor playgrounds and play centers | Yes, at 50% occupancy, but children MUST be accompanied by adults. |
Live entertainment | Live entertainment, including musical performances, is not permitted inside any building or indoor function. |
Swimming Pools | Yes, controlled commercial swimming facilities only. Congregate recreational swimming facilities are NOT included. |
LOCAL PPE VENDORS

Cleaning / sanitizing, masks, healthcare scrubs, uniforms, gowns, etc.
Guidance for Customers

Practice Good Hygiene

Stop Handshaking & Avoid Touching Your Face

Limit Cash Handling

Wear A Mask

Use Online Transactions

Practice Social Distancing
HEALTHCARE Driven
Guidelines for reopening
provided by our local healthcare leaders




Northwest Louisiana COVID 19 Pandemic: Health Issues and Reopening the Economy
Philip Rozeman MD – Willis-Knighton Cardiology
Charles Daigle – CEO, Oschner LSU Health
Jaf Fielder – COO, Willis-Knighton Health System
Ghali Ghali MD – Chancellor, LSU-HSC in Shreveport
Chris Kevil PhD – Vice Chancellor of Research, LSU-HSC in Shreveport
Steen Trawick MD – CEO/CMO Christus Shreveport/Bossier
Richard Crockett – Director/CEO Overton Brooks VA Medical Center
Modified from Safe at Work document of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) and Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC)
General Principles
Recognition of the need to develop guidelines to balance health and economic priorities
Recognition that “stay at home” orders and “safe at work” guidance is not in conflict
Recognition of importance of continued social distancing and work at home arrangements where feasible
Recognition of importance of limiting large scale gatherings
Businesses in the community have great trust in the local healthcare community to advise on the balance of health and economic considerations
Businesses need healthcare leaders to speak with one voice in making recommendations for economic restart efforts
Official proclamations






JULY 13 PROCLAMATION
MASK MANDATE
- 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
- Anyone who is a resident of a parish without a high COVID incidence that has opted out of the masking mandate
Useful Documents
Open Safe SBC Partner Organizations























The Open Safe SBC partnership is grateful for assistance from:




