Guidelines for Visiting Lafayette, LA

COVID Guidelines

Lafayette's hotels, shops, attractions, and restaurants have been allowed to resume or expand operations with restrictions as outlined in the Governor's guidelines.

For theaters, event spaces, festivals and fairs, and other outdoor events, there will be no limitations on outdoor capacity. Indoors, a facility may choose to operate at 75 percent capacity while enforcing six feet of social distancing or at 100 percent capacity with masking required and enforced.

For indoor sporting events, capacity is limited to 75 percent of capacity with social distancing, or 100 percent capacity if a mask mandate is enforced at the venue. Capacity will not be limited outdoors.

For live music, new regulations will require 10 feet of space between the stage and the audience and crowds must be seated. Bars will still only be open to those 21 and older.

Travelers are encouraged to visit the Louisiana Department of Health website, where you can sign up for updates from Gov. Edwards.

Mask Mandate Lifted

Following months of sustained improvement in COVID hospitalizations and an increase in the supply and availability of vaccines, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that some mitigation measures will be eased and, starting Wednesday, April 28, the statewide mask mandate will be lifted.

• Mask policies in Louisiana will be set by local leaders and business owners. Under the Governor’s new public health order, masks will still be required on public transit and in state government buildings, K-12 schools, early childhood education centers, colleges and universities, and healthcare facilities.
• Lifting of the mask mandate does not affect the COVID-19 liability protections that were enacted by the Louisiana Legislature which require businesses and schools to follow the recommendations of state and federal health authorities, all of which recommend continued mask-wearing.
• Social distancing and masking are recommended by both the state of Louisiana and the CDC.

The Department of Health additionally will issue a state health officer order that will mandate masks in all health care facilities.

CDC Guidelines for Travel

If you travel, protect yourself and others during your trip:

• Clean your hands often.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before touching your face or eating.
• If soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with others.
• Keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.
• Wear a mask in public.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.

Public Health Information

For additional information on how the state and travel industry are responding please see below for Covid-19 resources.

• Office of the Lafayette Parish Mayor-President
• Office of the Louisiana Governor
• Louisiana Department of Health
• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control
  • President's Coronavirus guidelines for America

Frequently Asked Questions