With fewer cars on the road, DOTD is getting a chance to dedicate more daytime crews to litter removal and clearing of vegetation. Matt Doyle has more.
_____________________________________
This Mother’s Day will be difficult for many under current COVID health recommendations. Matt Doyle has the story.
___________________________________________
As part of COVID-19 spread mitigation efforts, the state’s casino operations were put on hold on March 16th, but what will casinos look like upon reopening? Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
____________________________________________
DOTD is set to take advantage of the lull in traffic cause by the COVID shutdown to clean up some problem areas.
Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says for the next two weeks they’ll be dedicating extra daytime crews to removing litter, and removing tree limbs and vegetation that block line of sight.
Normal DOTD operations such as pothole filling and other roadwork have not been impacted by COVID-19 according to Mallet.
Mallet asks the public to appreciate the newly cleaned areas by not covering them up with more litter once DOTD finishes.
The spokesperson says litter cleanup costs the state millions of dollars a year.
Mallet says there’s going to be more workers on the road and more work zones as part of this beautification effort…
Fatal accidents were up last month despite a significant decrease in overall traffic.
_______________________________________
Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to give a more in-depth look into the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing procedures this afternoon. Edwards says the state is bringing on 700 workers to process the data receiving from testing.
Cut 7 (12) “…close contact with.”
The contact tracers will be working under the supervision of epidemiologists at three call centers throughout the state.
Edwards says after talking with a COVID-19 patient, a tracer will connect with anyone that may have been in contact with the patient for further questioning.
Cut 8 (10) “…days by yourself.”
Edwards says as the state engages more of the economy, there will be more person to person contact even with mitigation efforts in place, so it is contact tracing is vital in catching cases early before a further spread.
Cut 9 (09) “…and contact tracing.”
____________________________________
Louisiana Department of Health warns that current COVID regulations mean this Mother’s Day will have to be quite different than usual.
To start Capital Area Regional Medical Director Dawn Marcelle says people looking to deliver some flowers to mom on Sunday should adapt to the new normal.
Many moms and grandmas are at high risk of severe COVID cases. Marcelle says if your loved one falls into that category consider an alternative way to meet.
Marcelle says if meeting in person you’ll need to resist the temptation to hug your mom and maintain six feet of separation. She says you also need to wear a mask.
______________________
The gaming experience will be different next time players step into a Louisiana casino. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says temperature checks, mandatory hand sanitizing, and a series of screening questions will be asked before setting foot on the gaming floor.
Cut 13 (09) “…wear that mask.”
Casino operations ceased on March 16th and were not specifically named in any of the phases of the reopening plans, but Jones is hoping that maybe things will begin to open up by the end of the month.
Upon entering a casino, Jones says customers may notice more out-of-service slot machines to promote social distancing as well as less congestion at table games.
Cut 14 (12) “…have six people.”
Casino entry will likely be limited to 25% to 50% of normal capacity. Often, live concerts are a big draw for a casino, but Jones says that aspect will not be coming back immediately.