TPCG Coronavirus Daily Update for April 30, 2020

04/30/2020 06:25 PM

From the office of Parish President Gordon Dove:

Text TPCOVID to 888777 for updates from TPCG.

Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Coronavirus Daily Update for April 30, 2020

(all new information is marked with an asterisk* and bolded)

*Number of Coronavirus Cases in Terrebonne Parish: 437 (Increase 48 from April 29, 2020)

*Deaths Confirmed by the Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office: 31 (No increase from April 29)

Number of deaths reported on this report does not match the Louisiana Department of Health coronavirus website due to the latency of data input by the Louisiana Department of Health.

*Terrebonne Parish Ashland Correctional Facility Reports Increase in COVID Positive Inmates

The Terrebonne Parish Ashland Correctional Facility reported an increase of 37 COVID-19 positive inmates from testing conducted this week.  The increase of 48 cases today, April 30, 2020 was due to the testing conducted at correctional facility on Tuesday, April 27, 2020.  Parish and Sheriff Office officials have been in consultation with the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Louisiana Department of Health to contain and control the spread of the virus.

*Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court Information

Effective Friday, May 1, 2020, The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court’s office will be operating at full staff Monday thru Friday from 8:30AM to 12:00PM (Noon).  In keeping with the stay at home order, the general public is not allowed inside the courthouse building at this time.  However, for any matters to be filed, there will be Clerk of Court personnel stationed at the front door to assist you.  You can go to terrebonneclerk.org for more information. 

Our office will issue marriage licenses and birth certificates by appointment only, Monday through Friday.  Please call 985-873-8376 for more information or to make an appointment.

Jury duty is cancelled through June 30, 2020.  All criminal and civil court dates are being continued to later dates and parties will receive notice from the Clerk of Court’s office through a process server.

We can no longer accept passport applications.  Once we have been notified that we can resume issuance, that information will be posted on our website.  Go to travel.state.gov for more information.

*Terrebonne Parish Lifts Curfew

Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove has lifted the curfew in Terrebonne Parish effective April 29, 2020.

*City Court of Houma Information

Per the Louisiana Supreme Court’s order dated April 29, 2020, and the Governor’s extension of emergency provisions announced on April 27, 2020, City Court of Houma has suspended all civil trials, hearings and court appearances until no earlier than May 18, 2020.  Civil filings are still being processed; however individuals filing Civil matters will not be allowed in the courthouse and are encouraged to mail or fax their filings. Individuals should call the Civil Department at 873-6337 for further instructions.

The only Juvenile and Adult Criminal matters being heard are for those individuals in the Terrebonne Parish Jail or Juvenile Detention Facility and those hearings are held via videoconferencing. Only the parents/legal guardians of juveniles in the detention facility are allowed in the courthouse for the videoconference hearings, provided they are in good health.

Payments for traffic tickets, fines, etc. inside the courthouse have been suspended until at least May 18, 2020. People are encouraged to go to houmatix.com to see if they can pay their traffic ticket online.  Payments can also be made over the phone with a credit/debit card by calling the Misdemeanor/Traffic Department at 868-4361. Phone payments for juvenile matters may be made to the Juvenile Department at 873-6338. Individuals on a payment plan who have questions can call the Court Compliance Department at 873-6332/6335.

*State of Louisiana Renewal of State of Emergency For COVID-19 Extension of Emergency Provisions

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ statewide Stay at Home Order renewal goes into effect tomorrow, May 1, 2020 until May 15, 2020.   The new order from the Governor, JBE 52-2020 can be found by clicking on the Coronavirus Information button on the Terrebonne Parish Government website: tpcg.org or the Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness website at tohsep.com.

*Regional Coronavirus Self-Testing Drive Thru Site Open in Lafourche Parish

The regional coronavirus self-testing drive thru site is open from  8AM to Noon or until test limits are reached each day.  The testing site is located at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland near the intersection of Hwy 182 and U.S. Highway 90.  The site will be open 7 days a week except for days when severe weather is expected.

The site is open to all persons 18 years and older with a valid Louisiana Driver’s License or Louisiana ID.  Individuals will be required to perform a nasal swab on themselves.  You must remain in your vehicle, no appointment, physician referral or insurance is required.  No additional test for symptoms is required and if you have symptoms or had symptoms the last few days but no longer have symptoms, you are still eligible for testing. No pets allowed at the testing site. 

Non-Essential Businesses Allowed to Open in Terrebonne Parish

Parish President Gordon Dove announced April 27, 2020 that non-essential businesses in Terrebonne Parish that are not included in the Governor’s orders, JBE 2020-30 and JBE 2020-33, could open for business on April 28, 2020 with fewer than 10 people inside the business at one time and social distancing is practiced within the business.  All non-essential business employees are required to wear mask or a face covering and the business is required to have hand sanitizer available at the entrance of the business.  Please visit our website for a fact sheet, “Can My Business Be Open?” for more information.

The following businesses are NOT allowed to be open under the Governor’s orders, JBE 2020-30 and JBE 2020-33:  casinos, video poker establishments, movie theaters, bars, bowling alleys, fitness centers and gyms, all places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement park rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, pool halls, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, any theaters, concert and music halls, adult entertainment venues, racetracks and other similar businesses.  All personal care and grooming businesses, including but not limited to barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, spas, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, and other similar businesses.

Bounce Houses and Water Slides Use Prohibited

Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government is prohibiting the rental of bounce houses and water slides.  Companies that rent these items are not essential businesses as per Governor Edwards executive order or the US Department of Homeland Security CISA guidelines.  The use of bounce houses and water slides encourage gatherings of people and does not promote social distancing, increasing the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

New Orders from Governor John Bel Edwards to be Implemented Friday, May 1, 2020

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today three (3) major changes in the new Stay at Home order that will be implemented on Friday, May 1, 2020.

  • Malls will remain closed to the public, but stores may open for curbside delivery of goods.
  • Restaurants will be allowed to open their outside areas for patrons to eat meals, without tableside service, only.
  • All employees of a business who have contact with the public must wear a mask or face covering.

Parish President Gordon Dove Reminds Retail Stores to Adhere to American Disabilities Act (ADA) Regarding Disabled Patrons

By order of the Parish President, retail store outlets shall adhere to the requirements of the American Disabilities Act (ADA).  Disabled patrons entering retail outlets shall be allowed to enter the store with one other person to assist them with their shopping needs.  Retail outlets shall assist all disabled patrons to the fullest extent of the American Disabilities Act at all times including this pandemic.

Registrar of Voters Information

Beginning Monday, April 27, 2020, the Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters office will be open from 8AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Thursday.  The public will not be allowed into the office, but personnel will be there to answer the telephone and process applications.  The public can reach the office by calling 985-873-6533 or via email at terrebonnerov@sos.la.gov.  Citizens can register to vote online at sos.la.gov or geauxvote.com.

Parish President Gordon Dove Encourages Everyone to “Mask Up Terrebonne”.

Parish President Gordon Dove is encouraging everyone to “Mask Up Terrebonne.”  Residents will see pictures on social media and local news encouraging everyone to wear a mask with the saying, “When you wear a mask, YOU PROTECT OTHERS.  When others wear a mask, THEY PROTECT YOU.”  Search. #maskupterrebonne for information.

Parish President Reminds Residents of the Statewide “Stay at Home” Order

Parish President Gordon Dove would like to remind residents that it is still important to “Stay at Home” and only leave for essential items, in order to help reduce the spread of this virus.  Our elderly and those with chronic health conditions are the most vulnerable, but each resident should take personal responsibility to help prevent the spread of this virus within our community.

It you need to leave your home, only one person per family should go to the store or essential business and you should only purchase essential items.  Now is not the time to browse the stores.  Please go into the store, purchase your essential items and return home to allow other customers the opportunity to shop.

Everyone should continue to practice social distancing.  You may have coronavirus with no symptoms (asymptomatic) and spread the virus to others or others that think they do not have coronavirus because they do not have symptoms may spread it to you.  Please stay at home unless you need essential items and do not visit family or friends unless necessary.

Do your part, stay at home, stop the spread, flatten the curve!

To help prevent the spread of coronavirus you should do the following:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough and sneeze into the crease of your elbow.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces with regular household cleaning sprays or wipes.
  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Stay home from work if you are sick and call your primary physician. For emergencies, please call 911.

Terrebonne Council on Aging (TCOA) Information

Effective Monday, April 20, 2020, the Terrebonne Council on Aging will limit their transportation services to dialysis patients and wheelchair bound clients that need a ride to doctor’s appointments.  This is being implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to their drivers and other clients to COVID-19.  This will remain in effect until further notice.

Economically needy and disadvantaged senior residents of Terrebonne Parish (60 and over), who are not currently receiving home-delivered meals, may call the Terrebonne Council on Aging to find out if they qualify to receive a meal.  Please call the Council on Aging at 985-868-8411, then dial 0 for assistance.  Because of a large number of calls, seniors may be asked to leave their name and phone number and a Council on Aging staff member will return their call as soon as possible.

The Terrebonne Council on Aging (TCOA) has implemented the following measures:

  • All local senior centers and lunch centers have been closed until further notice.
  • All home visits by TCOA have been cancelled.
  • Senior citizens who receive home delivered meals will continue to receive home delivered meals and all senior citizens who utilized the senior centers and lunch centers for meals and are in need of meals will be added to the home delivery list to receive meals.
  • All senior center and lunch center managers will conduct check-up calls to registered senior citizens every other day.
  • All information and assistance requests will be conducted via telephone. If a senior citizen needs information or assistance, they should call the Council on Aging office at 985-868-8411.
  • All assessments for senior citizens will be conducted by telephone.

Louisiana Public School Closure Until End of Current Year

Governor John Bel Edwards signed a proclamation today closing K-12 public schools in Louisiana to students until the end of the current school year, with students getting their education via remote learning.  The proclamation can be read at the following website:  https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/Proclamations/2020/47-JBE-2020-State-of-Emergency-Elementary-and-Secondary-Education.pdf

32nd Judicial District Court System Information

All 32nd Judicial Courts are closed until May 1, 2020 at 4:30PM.

Those with pending criminal cases and civil matters set during this closure will be notified of a new court date.

All civil and criminal jury trials are cancelled through Tuesday June 30, 2020.  Jurors who have been notified to appear through June 30, 2020 are dismissed.

All dockets are cancelled except as follows:  Emergency and time-sensitive matters as determined by the Court may be held by teleconference or video conference.  This order expressly does not prohibit any court proceedings by telephone, video conferencing or any other means.

32nd Judicial District traffic tickets can be paid online at tpda.org.

Disinfecting of Gas Pump Handles

Parish President Gordon Dove would like to remind convenience stores, retail stores with gas stations and self-serve gas stations to regularly disinfect gas pump handles with a disinfectant solution.  He also would like to remind citizens to use a disinfectant wipe, paper towel or other item to hold the gas pump handle and to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water after pumping gas.

Requirement of Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Procedures for Retail Stores

Parish President Gordon Dove is requiring that convenience stores, gas stations, dollar stores, truck stops, seafood markets and all retail stores have hand sanitizer available to customers as they enter the store.  Businesses are also required to disinfect all surfaces that customers may have contact with, such as door handles, cooler door handles, and other self-service vending items to be disinfected on a regular basis.  Businesses should continue to practice the required social distancing between customers and employees.

Closure of Gas Stations, Truck Stops and Convenience Stores at 10PM

By executive order, Parish President Gordon Dove has ordered that all gas stations, truck stops and convenience stores to close at 10PM and may reopen at 5AM.  Those gas stations, truck stops and gas stations with “pay at the pump” capabilities can continue to sell fuel after 10PM.

24-Hr Pharmacy Operations

Only pharmacies with drive thru window capability can remain open 24-hrs with drive thru operations only.  All other pharmacies must close the store to customers by 10PM and may reopen at 5AM.

Terrebonne Parish Assessor’s Office

The Terrebonne Parish Assessor’s Office hours are from 9AM to 3PM, Monday through Thursday.  The office will be closed on Fridays.  These hours will be in effect till the end of April.

Reminder for TPCG Utility Customers

The customer service area inside Government Tower for paying utility bills is closed to the public.  Customers wishing to pay their utility bills should use the drive thru service, Monday thru Thursday, from 8AM to 4PM.  Utility bills may also be paid online at mytpcg.org or by telephone by calling 844-331-8341.

2020 Census

Getting an accurate census count is essential for the parish. The census determines the allocation of representatives to serve in the legislative bodies of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Louisiana State Legislature, and within voting districts. Census information is also used to distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support schools, hospitals, fire departments, road improvements, public works, and other social services.

To take the census, visit countdabayou.org and click on “Take the Census” and you will be directed to the U.S. Census 2020 page to complete your census questionnaire that will only take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Parish President Gordon Dove Requests Security Detail, Cart Sanitizing and Hand Sanitizer at Stores

To further prevent the spread of the virus, Parish President Gordon Dove is requiring that all grocery stores, pharmacies and big box stores to provide a person (i.e., store personnel, security guard, law enforcement detail) at the entrance of the store to enforce the number of persons allowed into the store and the six-foot distancing requirement.

President Dove is also requiring that all stores provide hand sanitizer at the entrance of the stores for customer use and the disinfecting of all shopping carts between each customer use.

Only one person per family should go to the store or essential business and you should only purchase essential items.  Now is not the time to browse the stores.  Please go into the store, purchase your essential items and return home to allow other customers the opportunity to shop.

Limitation of Number of Customers and Store Hours

In order to continue to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in Terrebonne Parish, Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove has placed restrictions on the number of customers allowed in stores and operating hours of stores. 

Beginning today, April 4, 2020, all grocery stores (Rouses, Cannata’s, etc.), pharmacies and big box stores (Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, Target, Sam’s Club, etc.) will be limited to 20% of their Fire Marshal capacity and will only be allowed to be open for business from 6AM to 8PM.  24-hour pharmacies will be allowed to continue to operate after 8PM with drive-thru services only.

All other businesses are to follow the executive order 41 JBE 2020, dated April 2, 2020, and issued by Governor John Bel Edwards stating that essential businesses listed on his order or within the US Homeland Security CISA guidance document can operate as normal.

“We are trying to facilitate the needs of the residents and the business community.  I will continue to monitor the situation and amend this order if necessary,” said Parish President Gordon Dove.

Good Earth Transit System (Bus Service)

The Good Earth Transit System (bus service) ceased all regular bus services on Friday, April 3, 2020 until further notice.  The Good Earth Transit System will continue to operate the paratransit system in Terrebonne Parish for those individuals who have been issued Paratransit Identification Cards.

Regional Military Museum

The Regional Military Museum in Houma is closed for tours, visitors, and volunteers until further notice.

Terrebonne United Churches Food Bank Information

The Terrebonne United Churches Food Bank is in need of volunteers to help with food distribution.  If you are interested in helping, please call Mr. Lawrence Dehart at 985-851-5523.

The Terrebonne Churches United Food Bank in Houma is open and distributing food to those in need.  The food bank is open from 8:30AM to noon on Monday and Saturday and from 12:30PM to 4PM on Wednesday.  Service to the homeless is provided on Thursdays from 8:30AM to noon.  The TCU Food Bank office hours are from 8AM to 3PM, Monday through Friday.  For more information or assistance, please call the TCU Food Bank at 985-851-5523 or visit their website at tcufoodbank.org.

The TCU Food Bank is now a drive-by food pick up program.  This will be the primary method we will use to distribute food due to the COVID-19 Emergency.  Here is how the plan will work:

One hour before our normal distribution times, those in need may line up in their vehicles on Commerce Street entering from Lafayette Street.  Vehicles will need to line up on the extreme right side of Commerce Street.  We ask that vehicles pull all the way up to the stop sign at intersection of Church Street and Commerce street.  Once the process begins, a screener will approach your vehicle and ask you a few questions though your driver side window.  Once the brief screening process is complete you will be asked to pull around to Magnolia Street to a section clearly marked in front of the food bank.  Once in that section, you will simply have to unlatch your trunk, and someone will load the food items in your trunk and close it.  Then you will safely reenter Magnolia Street and exit on Lafayette Street.  You will not exit your car at any time though this process.  There will be signs providing directions all along the route. 

Mental Health Services

The following mental health clinics and agencies are currently open and serving clients as needed: 

  • Terrebonne Mental Health – 985-857-3615
  • START Community Health Center – 985-333-2020
  • Teche Action Clinic – 985-851-1717
  • Beacon Behavioral Clinic – 985-346-0436

Anyone needing mental health assistance can call the South Central Louisiana Human Health Services Crisis Assist Link Line (CALL) 24 hours a day to speak to a licensed social worker at 877-500-9997.  The Louisiana Department of Health has the “Keep Calm thru COVID” hotline open 24 hours a day and can be reached at 866-310-7977.  All calls are confidential. 

Terrebonne Economic Development Authority

The Terrebonne Economic Development Authority has activated a centralized call system for business questions related to the coronavirus event.  The phone number is 985-633-1887 and can be reached between the hours of 9AM to 4:30PM.  Businesses can email questions to bizresponse@tpeda.org.

Terrebonne Parish Library Information:

All Terrebonne Parish Library System branches are closed to the public.  All curbside services are suspended until Monday, April 6, 2020.

All fines will be waived while the library facilities are closed.  Please do not return checked out items until the libraries reopen.

The Terrebonne Parish Library offers many e-services to cardholders that can be accessed from home. This includes eBooks, online magazines, Hoopla, streaming services, and various databases such as TumbleBooks, Homework Louisiana, Learning Express, and World Book Online.  During this time, patrons are allowed to check out up to 10 eBooks at a time versus the standard 5. For patrons who do not yet have a library card, there is now an online sign-up option that can be found on the home page at mytpl.org.  Patrons are encouraged to follow the Terrebonne Parish Library System Facebook page for updates and may also leave messages to the page for any questions they may have.

Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission

  • The airport remains open as published in FAA Form 5010 and per applicable NOTAMS.
  • Airport Commission Offices are closed to public visitors, who are being directed to telephone and email means of contact.
  • Lessees desiring to pay rent in person can deposit payments and correspondence in an outside drop box at the office.
  • An airport manager (rotating) + one office assistant (rotating) will be available at the office Monday through Thursday during normal business hours. Remaining staff will remain available via telephone and email.
  • The office will be closed each Friday (weekly) for a thorough disinfecting, and on Thursday, April 9 due to the holiday on Friday, April 10. All staff is also available during disinfecting for normal business via telephone and email.
  • All airfield maintenance (grass, concrete, lighting, electronics, instrument landing systems, AWOS/ATIS, etc.) will continue as normal.
  • The control tower has been reduced to one controller in the tower + one team member in the tower office. Assuming no decline in the number of fit-for-duty tower controllers, normal published tower hours of operation can be sustained.
  • If controller illness eventually results in absences, reduced tower hours of operation (if necessary) will be published in NOTAMS.

Unless otherwise changed or extended, this posture will be maintained through the end of May 15, 2020.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office

State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, in collaboration with Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, have issued a statewide cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1602.  Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government.  This order was effective as of 8AM, March 25, 2020, and shall remain in effect until rescinded. 

Terrebonne Parish Government Information

On Monday, March 23, 2020, Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove closed the Terrebonne Parish Government Tower to the public until further notice.  The Government Tower’s drive-thru lanes, located on Gabasse Street, are open for public use to drop off documents, applications, and utility payments Monday through Thursday from 8AM to 4:00PM.  Beginning Friday, March 26, 2020, Government Tower, including the drive-thru lanes will be closed on Fridays, until further notice, to all Parish employees and the public.  This will allow for the Government Tower to be disinfected on a weekly basis.  The public is requested to utilize the utility drop box, located in the drive-thru area of the Gabasse Street parking lot, to drop off utility payments, documents, and applications on Fridays.

The Terrebonne Parish switchboard is operating with normal business hours, Monday through Thursday.  The parish’s answering service will receive calls on Fridays during the closure of the Government Tower and direct calls to the appropriate department.  After-hours calls and weekend calls will continue to be answered by the parish’s answering service.

All Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government services will continue to be provided during this event.

Trade and building permits can be applied for by using the Gabasse Street parking garage, Lane #4. You can also apply online at tpcg.org/permits/apply.

All Terrebonne Parish departments and facilities are limiting visitor access.  Terrebonne Parish Government Tower is closed to all visitors.  Citizens are advised to use online services at tpcg.org or call the particular department you need to access.  Citizens needing to make utility payments or drop off other items and documents are asked to use the drive-thru lanes on Gabasse Street parking lot.  Before visiting any Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government facility, please call to confirm visitation requirements.

The Terrebonne Wildlife Museum and Folklife Museum are closed until further notice.

  • All Terrebonne Parish sponsored events have been cancelled that may exceed 10 people.
  • All Terrebonne Parish Recreation (TPR) events have been postponed until further notice.
  • The Live After 5 event scheduled for Downtown Houma in March has been cancelled.

Small Business Assistance

The U. S. Small Business Administration has declared that all small businesses in Louisiana are eligible for COVID-19 business assistance.  To get started immediately, visit SBA.gov/disaster.  SBA offers a three-step process for disaster loans at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf.  The Louisiana Economic Development is also offering COVID-19 Business Resources at opportunitylouisiana.com/covid-19-assistance, an online guide to assistance available for impacted businesses.  Look for updates to the guide at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Terrebonne Parish School District Feeding Program

The Terrebonne Parish School District will continue to provide free “Grab and Go” lunches during the “Stay at Home” order, Monday through Friday from 11AM to 1PM.  All Pre-K to 12th grade students (public and private school students) and any student with disabilities up to age 22 can receive a meal.  Students must be present to be served a meal.  No student ID is required.

Meals can be picked up at the closest Terrebonne Parish School District high school located to your home.  For schools where it is safe, students may walk up to the school to receive a meal.  Students arriving by a vehicle should remain in their vehicle.

  • Ellender Memorial High School – Meal distribution will be in the front of the school main entrance.
  • L. Bourgeois High School – Meal distribution will be in the front parking lot/main entrance.
  • South Terrebonne High School – Meal distribution will be in the front of the school.
  • Terrebonne High School – Meal distribution will be in the bus circle. Enter on St. Charles Street.

Terrebonne ARC

Terrebonne ARC (TARC) has closed ALL operations, including stores, until further notice.

Louisiana Workforce Commission Information

Residents needing information regarding unemployment compensation should contact the Louisiana Workforce Commission at 985-876-8990, 800-351-4378, 866-783-5567 or visit the local office at 807 Barrow Street (Town Hall Building) in Houma.

Consolidated Waterworks District No. 1 – Terrebonne Parish Information:

The Consolidated Waterworks District No. 1 office lobby at 8814 Main Street will be closed to the general public.  Drive-thru windows will be open normal hours, 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday, for paying your water bill or conducting other business.  You may contact the office at 985-879-2495 or via their website at tpcw.org.  Please follow their Facebook page for up-to-date information.

For the most updated information regarding COVID-19, residents can do the following:

  • Dial 211 and ask a question.
  • Text LACOVID to 898-211.
  • Visit LA211help.org.

Documents