Louisiana’s stay-at-home order was extended on April 27, 2020

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - About a month into the COVID-19 pandemic, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced the state would extend its stay-at-home order on April 27, 2020.

Edwards announced the order would be in place until May 15th, and said he hoped the number of cases would decrease enough to lessen restrictions by May 16th.

Louisiana was one of the states hardest hit by the pandemic. The first coronavirus case was March 9th. It jumped to 27,068 cases in the next 48 days.

At the time Edwards extended the stay-at-home order Louisiana was sixth in the nation per capita for cases. That was down from second in the country just a few weeks earlier.

The Governor said the decision was mad in consultation with infectious disease doctors and other public health experts. The order had begun on March 23rd and banned gatherings of more than 10 people.

Edwards said he told Vice President Mike Pence of his decision and Pence supported the move.