NEW ORLEANS — Office of Motor Vehicle locations around the New Orleans area are closed indefinitely as COVID-19 spread across Southeast Louisiana, state leaders announced Sunday.
Several deadlines, including expirations for license plates and several fees, have been pushed back to accommodate for the closures.
Starting Monday, the OMV locations at 100 Veterans Boulevard and 7500 Bullard Avenue in New Orleans will remain closed.
The Lindberg Drive office in Slidell, the Williams Street office in Donaldsonville, the Main Street office in Homer and the Highway 190 office in DeRidder will also stay closed.
Open OMV offices across the state will limit the number of people allowed into each building to allow for social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19.
As of Monday morning, Louisiana had 114 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 and two deaths from the disease, which causes fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.
Governor John Bel Edwards extended the deadline for several driving requirements during this time, including:
- Late fees for driver’s license which expire between March 9, 2020 through May 10, 2020 -- suspended until May 20, 2020.
- Penalties and interest due on state and local sales and use taxes which began on or after March 9, 2020 -- waived until June 19, 2020.
- The three-day period mandated to appear at an OMV office for a notice of violation served on or after March 9, 2020 but before May 10, 2020 --suspended until May 13, 2020.
- The expiration date of temporary registration plates which expired on or before March 9, 2020 -- suspended until May 10, 2020.
- The expiration date of license plates issued which expired on or after March 9, 2020 but before May 10, 2020 -- suspended until May 10, 2020.
- The notice of default issued that would be issued on or after March 9, 2020 and before May 15, 2020 -- suspended, and the notices will not be issued until after May 15, 2020.
- The expiration date of an apportioned registration issued under the International Registration Plan which expires March 9, 2020 -- suspended and the expiration date is extended to May 10, 2020.
- The period to request an administrative hearing submitted to the OMV which expired on or after March 9, 2020 but before May 10, 2020 -- suspended and extended until June 10, 2020.
- The sixty-day delay for the Department to submit the administrative hearing record to the Division of Administrative Law for an arrest which occurred on or after March 9, 2020 but before May 10, 2020 -- extended until August 8, 2020
For more information and to see which OMV offices remain open, visit the OMV website here.
What you need to know about COVID-19:
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.
Worldwide illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including severe pneumonia that can result in hospitalization or death.
Older people and people with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease or cancer seem to be at greater risk of serious illness.
People with recent travel to China, or have come in contact with someone who has recent travel and is ill, have a greater risk for becoming ill.
What to do if you are sick:
If you recently traveled to an area affected by COVID-19 transmission, and you feel sick, stay home and call your doctor immediately. Do not go to the doctor without calling first.
If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, call the Louisiana Department of Health hotline at 1-855-523-2652.
If you are severely ill and you think you need to go to the hospital, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room.
How to Prevent the Spread:
The virus is thought to spread between people in close contact (within 6 feet) and through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Wash hands with soap and water often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Especially wash hands after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Stay home if you feel sick to prevent the spread of germs.
- Cover your cough with your elbow to prevent the spread of germs.
Treatments for COVID-19:
There are no medications specifically approved for COVID-19. People with coronavirus should be treated with supportive care to help relieve symptoms.
Some severe cases require going to the hospital, particularly in the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions.
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