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BATON ROUGE — As of 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 171 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Louisiana, and the state lab has completed 374 tests. There are four confirmed deaths.

New cases are now considered “positive” instead of “presumptive positive.” Over the weekend, the Louisiana Department of Health said the CDC has found local lab tests to be reliable, and confirmation is no longer needed.

Governor John Bel Edwards took significant measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, further limiting the size of gatherings to fewer than 50 people, closing casinos, bars, fitness centers and movie theaters and limiting restaurants to delivery, take out and drive-through orders only.

These changes went into effect Monday at midnight. Operations may be able to resume on April 13. However, the situation will be re-evaluated seven days prior.

Additionally, the order addresses emergency procurement measures and the use of video or teleconferencing for public meetings. It also suspends various prescriptive periods and legal deadlines and allows for the chief law enforcement officer of a parish to set a curfew, among other things.

“More aggressive steps are necessary to fight the spread of COVID-19 across Louisiana. Following additional guidance from the CDC, gatherings of more than 50 people are no longer permitted, bars and casinos must close and restaurants will only be able to offer take out or delivery,” Edwards said. “These limitations were difficult to make, but they are necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, protect the health of Louisianans and flatten the curve.”

Edwards said officials are learning it can take two weeks for symptoms to appear. He spoke with Senator Bill Cassidy, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence early this week about slowing community spread.

“We believe we are still unearthing community spread that’s been around for the past several weeks, which means it is a statewide problem that requires statewide solutions,” Edwards said.

The following St. John the Baptist Parish restaurants are among those open for pick-up orders: Sicily’s Italian Buffet, Mabile’s, Frostop, Chili’s, Subway inside of the Pilot gas station, La Caretta’s, Bec’s at the Lake, The Jambalaya Shoppe, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse & Restaurant, PJ’s Coffee, Yabba’s, Ruby Garden, Waffle House, Buddy B’s, The Donut Hole, Rotolo’s, TNT Seafood, El Paso, Clay’s Café, ZoraChristina Catering LLC, Pirouge’s Café, Petra Restaurant, Datty’s, Connie’s Grill, IHOP, Frenier Landing and Pier 51. Several fast-food establishments will be taking drive-through orders only.

Please email brooke.robichaux@lobservateur.com to add restaurants to this listing