Washington, May 12 (IANS): The US state of Louisiana will start to reopen from Friday onwards, Governor John Bel Edwards announced.

During a press briefing on Monday, Edwards said the state will move to Phase One of reopening on Friday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Phase One is expected to last 21 days until June 5, when the state might be allowed to move into Phase Two.

During Phase One, all non-essential businesses will be allowed to open to the public at 25 pe rcent of capacity, same as restaurants, barber shops, gyms and cinemas.

Children's museums will remain closed, said the Governor.

Edwards encouraged vulnerable individuals to stay home as much as possible and required all employees working with the public to wear masks.

Louisiana has been hit hard by COVID-19.

As of Monday, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 31,815 positive cases across the state, of which 1,310 patients were currently being treated.

So far 2,242 people have died of the disease.