By order of the Mayor of the City of Natchitoches, effective immediately, all access to city buildings will be restricted to the public for the safety of the employees and citizens until further notice.

Although the offices will be restricted to the public,employees

will continue serving the public during regular business hours via phone and email. This restriction on access to City buildings includes the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center.

On Friday, March 13, Governor John Bel Edwards declared a statewide Public Health Emergency. Given the severity and the uncertain impact of the Coronavirus on the State of Louisiana, immediate action is required to ensure utility service is not disconnected for nonpayment.

Although the City of Natchitoches does not fall under the order of the Louisiana Public Service Commission,said mayor Lee Posey, the city will not disconnect any utility customer for non-payment during this time.

However, while no late fees will be incurred, please be mindful that utility customers will be responsible for the utility consumption during this time and should remit payment as soon as possible, said mayor Posey.

The City of Natchitoches also encourages its citizens to be safe and mindful of others when going out in public. Those experiencing symptoms which include fever,cough, and/or shortness of breath are encouraged  to remain isolated until seeking the advice of yourmedical provider in order to prevent the spread of illness in our community.

Community events and private gatherings, whether indoors or outdoors ,should be limited to 50 people, however, city  officials are advising events be postponed to a later date.

As more information evolves regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on access to other businesses could become stricter in the event the virus is presented in our community, concluded mayor Posey.

Following this news release by the city of Natchitoches,  Governor Edwards imposed additional restrictions  including  closing casinos, bars and movie theaters, and limiting restaurants to delivery, take out and drive-through orders only. Also, Gov .Edwards restricted   the public gathering of folks to less than 50. These changes are effective statewide March 17 at midnight.

For updates on COVID-19 visit the following websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov or the Louisiana Department of Health at http://ldh.la.gov/