Childcare centers receive guidance on how to safely operate under Phase One, with changes parents will want to pay attention to. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
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The stay at home order ends today and many businesses and churches open their doors once again to customers. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
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The Governor’s new proclamation is in effect today, but one mayor in Sabine Parish has told his citizens he doesn’t plan to actively enforce it. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The Louisiana Department of Education releases guidelines on how childcare centers and summer schools should proceed under Phase One. Childcare centers were not ordered closed under the stay at home order, but Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says 70 percent of them voluntarily shut down…
Cut 4 (06)_ “…Phase Two.”
Baghian says the centers that did stay open operated at a lower capacity and mostly served children of essential workers.
The guidance calls for new procedures for pick up and drop off, separating children into smaller groups, and requiring workers to wear masks. Baghian says mask-wearing is recommended for children “as able”.
Cut 5 (07) “…of that.”
Children under two, or children with breathing difficulties should not wear masks per the CDC.
Baghian says they’ve talked with local districts about summer school offerings and many are working on plans that fit under Phase One’s ban on gatherings of more than ten people, but…
Cut 6 (07) “…the state.”
LDE received a ten million dollar grant from the feds earlier this month to help maintain childcare centers economically impacted by COVID-19.
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Many businesses can resume operations today at 25 percent capacity as the state enters Phase One. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says churches can resume indoor services, but worshipers will be spaced out six feet in every direction between your family and fellow attendees.
Cut 7 (10) “…area.”
Most dining rooms will be allowed to open as well, and Browning says he’s talked to restaurant owners and they sound committed to ensuring rooms aren’t packed with over-eager crowds.
Cut 8 (09) “…can come”
Self-service and buffets will not be allowed under Phase One.
Movie theaters, hair salons, gyms, and many nonessential businesses also open today. Browning says following social distancing guidelines will be key to determining whether we can expand that list in the future…
Cut 9 (07) “thus far”__
Assistant Health Secretary Alex Billioux warned residents not to be offended if customers are asked questions at the door about their health.
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The Sabine Parish town of Many will not actively enforce the Governor’s new proclamation according to Mayor Kenneth Freeman. Freeman believes the residents of Many are doing a good job with mitigation efforts without law enforcement intervention.
Cut 10 (08) “…look for problems.”
In a message to residents, Freeman says if someone needs to shelter at home, that is their choice and he encourages that to continue. For those that resume life as normal, Freeman still advises them to continue to take spread mitigation efforts seriously.
Freeman believes citizens deserve the credit for Sabine Parish currently having only 29 COVID-19 cases and no fatalities on record.
Cut 11 (09) “…to do so.”
Freeman says he is following the Governor’s lead in asking for voluntary participation, adding residents are aware of the risk of not following social distancing guidelines.
Cut 12 (11) “…into protecting themselves.”
The Governor has previously stated that moving into phase one of reopening is not a return to pre-coronavirus life.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has derailed plans for traditional graduation celebrations, leaving many turning to virtual commencement ceremonies. UL Lafayette holds its commencement today at 10 am. LSU interim President Thomas Galligan the Tigers will also virtually celebrate their spring grads at 10 am today.
Cut 13 (08) “…to the graduates.”
Galligan says the ceremony will also loop Tiger stadium into the celebration of the over 4000 grads.
Cut 14 (10) “…go to LSU.edu/celebration.”
Galligan says the plan is to eventually have a traditional in-person graduation ceremony at a later date. Galligan encourages grads to dress up for the occasion, wearing the cap and gown to get into the commencement spirit.
Cut 15 (08)“…it all again.”
ULM’s Virtual Graduation Ceremony for spring grads is at 10 AM Saturday.
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Major League Baseball’s decision to reduce its draft to five rounds in June creates a roster crunch for LSU and other college baseball teams. Coach Paul Mainieri still expects outfielder Daniel Cabrera and pitcher Cole Henry, plus a couple of recruits to be the selected, but he expected to lose eight players from the 2020 team to the draft
Cut 16 (15) “…roster.”
The NCAA maximum roster limit is 35 in college baseball. Mainieri is hoping the NCAA expand the roster size for the 2021 season
Cut 17 (21) “…tough decisions”
At least two players off of the 2020 team are transferring. Infielder Hal Hughes has committed to Rice and Mainieri says freshman all-American Eric Walker will pitch somewhere else next season
Cut 18 (17) “…for him”