Sabine Parish leaders have ordered tourists to leave the community during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Sabine Parish Police Jury President Marc McCormic issued such a proclamation Monday, March 30. It remains in effect through April 29 unless it is extended.
The order requires those who rent vacation rental properties, including but not limited to hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, bed and breakfast establishments, and recreational vehicle spaces to suspend rental operations.
The directive also includes any house, condominium or other dwelling that is short- term public lodging establishment.
Long term rentals of 30 days or longer are not included. Additionally, guests currently staying in a vacation rental and checked in by March 16, 2020, can stay.
Those folks performing military, emergency, governmental, health or infrastructure response are exempt. And, persons engaged in non-vacation commercial activities and other essential jobs are also allowed to stay.
Existing renters who do not fall under the exemptions listed above must vacate by Thursday, April 2, 2020.
Violation of the order could lead to a misdemeanor charge punishable by a fine of $500 and/or six months in jail.
The order states there is a “definite threat” to the health and well-being of Sabine Parish residents. It notes that the parish has limited health care capacity.