Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards says the state still has a ways to go before it can enter "phase one" of the three-phase plan for reopening. Under that plan, a state can start phase one after 14 straight days of declining cases.
So when will Louisiana be ready to ease up on social distancing?
"We are going to move forward as quickly as we can, but with a balanced approach to preserving public health, which is critically important," said Edwards. "Having more testing on hand is really a big part of that."
Edwards said one thing may come back before the end of this month -- allowing hospitals perform non-emergency procedures
"It's critically important that we make our citizens as healthy as they can be," said Edwards. "And we also know that what is not an emergency procedure today, if you put it off too long, it will become an emergency."
Edwards said not only will that keep people healthier, it's an important part of the state's economy.
Governor Edwards spoke from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on LSU's campus. The sports arena has been converted into a manufacturing center for personal protective equipment.
