NEW ORLEANS — The "Stay at Home" order issued Sunday night for Louisiana residents was the latest escalation in the fight to contain COVID-19, the potentially deadly disease caused by the coronavirus.
But there are still lingering questions about the order, including how it will be enforced and why some businesses are still open.
Here are some of the most common questions people have been asking, with clear answers.
What is an essential business?
In the simplest terms, an essential business is one that still needs to function as usual during the coronavirus outbreak.
For most people, the most important essential businesses are hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores and restaurants.
A detailed breakdown is available here:
What businesses have been shut down?
A: The governor specifically mentioned two types of businesses in his order: places of public amusement and public grooming businesses.
The first part covers places like playgrounds and event venues, along with theme parks and other places where large groups form.
Public grooming businesses, like hair salons and tattoo parlors, were ordered closed because they require close physical contact, breaking the 6 feet of space rule for social distancing.
There's a lot of businesses in between. What about those places?
According to the governor's order, any business that isn't considered essential and hasn't been ordered to close must adhere to new restrictions.
These businesses are allowed to continue operating, as long as they minimize the contact between employees and the public and adhere to a 10-person limit on gatherings.
That means there shouldn't be more than 10 people in a room together, and any people in a room should stay at least six feet apart.
My employer isn't an essential business, so why are they still open?
Technically, as long as businesses adhere to the rules laid out in the order, they can remain open.
The "Stay at Home" order didn't order most businesses to close. Instead, it urged employees to avoid going to work unless they worked in an essential business.
If my business isn't complying with the order, who can I tell?
The state is working with local law enforcement agencies to enforce the "Stay at Home" order.
If you believe your employer is violating the restrictions set out in the order, you should contact your local police force or sheriff's office using their non-emergency phone number.
In New Orleans, the NOPD has created a special task force to enforce the order. Businesses that do not comply could lose their operating permits.
Read more about that here:
RELATED: NOPD launches special team to investigate illegal gatherings; businesses could lose permits
Will I get in trouble for going to work?
No, you won't get in trouble for going to work.
The order was announced on Sunday, March 22, and Edwards said it wouldn't go into effect until 5 p.m. the next day. The order is in effect 24/7 until April 12.
There is no curfew in place for the state of Louisiana, and any rumors about the state closing down its borders and declaring martial law are false, according to the governor.
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