Covid-19
We are in an unprecedented time; COVID-19 has strained the system and pushed the American people into a difficult situation. During this trying time, we need to come together and have compassion for our fellow Abitians. We are a resilient community. I have confidence we will get through this by following the guidance of medical and emergency operations professionals. This is a time to stay calm and stay home with your family. Keep children and teens at home and not with friends. Remember to show kindness to one another and consider others who are more vulnerable. My administration and staff will be available, working hard, if you need to get in touch, call or email.
Daniel J. Curtis
Mayor
These are unprecedented times and as such they require that the Town of Abita Springs administration make decisions in conjunction with Parish, State and Federal authorities. The following guidelines are being enacted effective March 17, 2020:
Access to Town facilities:
Town Hall offices are closed to public entry. Town administrative workers will remain working on site however citizens should communicate via email or phone only. Public works employees will remain working in the community however communication should occur only through email and phone. Contact email addresses and phone numbers can be found online at townofabitasprings.com. All municipal events and meetings have been cancelled through April 13th including Town Council on March 17th. There will be regular evaluations and decisions made about how best to proceed. We will no longer accept rental agreements on town facilities until further notice.
Utilities:
Utility payments will be accepted via check, money order or electronic payment. Checks and money orders should be put in the drop box on the Annex Building next to Town Hall. Electronic payments can be made at townofabitasprings.com. Citizens can also sign up for Automatic Payments using the form that is located at townofabitasprings.com/utilities. The form and cancelled check can be dropped in the drop box or scanned in and emailed to dmaclean@abitaspringsla.gov. Every attempt will be made to maintain services for our citizens who may have trouble meeting their financial responsibility. Citizens who need to make payment arrangements should contact the Utility Department.
Permit/Planning & Zoning:
All communications regarding permits, planning & zoning, historic and building inspections should be made via email to ktortorich@abitaspringsla.gov or via phone. Building inspections will continue for the time being and should be requested via phone or email. This will be reevaluated regularly.
The March Planning & Zoning meeting has been cancelled at this time.
Trailhead Park:
The Trailhead Park and Trailhead Museum is closed until further notice.
Cemetery:
The Cemetery will remain open from dawn until dusk for visitation. All inquiries concerning the cemetery should be communicated via phone or email to lschaefer@abitaspringsla.gov.
Restaurants, Bars, Casinos and Movie Theaters:
By order of Governor John Bel Edwards all casinos, bars and movie theaters are closed. Restaurants are limited to take out or drive-thru only. Please contact local restaurants for available services.
Grocery Stores:
Local grocery stores are remaining open with varying hours. Please contact your store for more information. Please be deliberate in your shopping and do not hoard or overstock items. This allows the stores time to restock and make items available to the most people.
Please keep connected to the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html and the LDH http://ldh.la.gov/ for accurate information. Follow St. Tammany Parish Government http://www.stpgov.org/ and to the St. Tammany Parish School Board http://www.stpsb.org/ for information about schools and parish wide information.
Interim Guidance for Coronavirus Disease
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.
Coronavirus
Questions about Coronavirus?
If you have questions about coronavirus, please contact the Louisiana 211 Network by dialing dial 211. Or, you can text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available.