Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has called for prayer and fasting every lunchtime from July 20 to 22.

Louisiana Governor

According to Newsweek, the governor announced the appeal during a press conference last Thursday. The call stems from the Christian background of the governor. Most religions, including Jewish and Muslims, practice prayer and fasting. It is an act of coming to God for petition.

Edwards said, “I know it’s a little bit unusual. This will be a spiritual diet and exercise that I as a Catholic Christian believe is very important anyway.”

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He invites every citizen to respond to the call regardless of their faith. The prayers will be for the people of Louisiana, the sick and infected with the virus, the caretakers and health workers, and the families of those who have passed on.

Edwards shared that the idea came from a telephone conference he hosted with religious leaders from all over the state of Louisiana. He said that he organized such conference calls every three weeks.

Louisiana current status on COVID-19

The governor also revealed during the press conference that the state declared 24 new deaths, amounting to its total COVID-19 death toll to 3,375. Presently, there are 1,400 admitted into hospitals, more than double of the number admitted at mid-May.

The resurgence of the COVID-19 cases drove Edwards to sign an executive order of mask wearing and closure of bars. Residents should now wear face masks in public with exceptions granted to people with medical conditions and children below 8 years old.

The order only allows stores that offer food or drinks-to go to remain open. It also limits indoor gatherings to 50 people and social distancing should be observed in outdoor events. Violators shall receive citations and fines for trespassing. He noted that the mandate does apply to churches but pastors will not be cited.

“So let’s be good neighbors to one another and realize we all have a role to play,” Bel Edwards said.