SECRETARY’S EMERGENCY ORDER

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COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

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WHEREAS, pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., the Governor declared a Public Health emergency in Proclamation No. 25 JBE 2020 and has extended those provisions until May 15, 2020 in a subsequent proclamation in order to protect the health and safety of the public from the threat of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, in the days since the declaration of public health emergency, the COVID-19 outbreak in Louisiana has expanded significantly;

WHEREAS, additional measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of the public;

WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the state of Louisiana and surrounding states require that the movements of motorist traveling on the public highways of the state of Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, to deal with emergencies or disasters and to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters, and to preserve the lives and property of the citizens of the state of Louisiana, including the authority to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is impacting physical interaction of citizens throughout the state of Louisiana by the implementation of Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to all citizens to utilize social distancing and eliminating personal contact during the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

NOW THEREFORE, I, SHAWN DAVID WILSON, Secretary of Department of Transportation and Development, State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: With respect to the collection of payment for tolls for ferries owned and operated by DOTD, specifically Plaquemine Ferry, Cameron Ferry and Duty Ferry, for the purpose limiting personal physical contact the following changes are being made to follow the statewide direction of social distancing and eliminating personal contact during the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

1. Toll collection is suspended.

SECTION 3: This Order is effective and shall remain in effect in conjunction with the statewide Stay at Home Order or until May 31, 2020, unless amended, modified or rescinded.
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Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D.
Department of Transportation and Development