Haunted Houses Must Apply to Operate in Louisiana This Fall

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Haunted houses will have to seek approval from Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration if they want to operate in Louisiana this year, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Edwards’ restrictions on businesses and activities keep indoor amusement sites like haunted houses closed. But the Democratic governor’s coronavirus proclamation allows them to submit a proposal seeking special permission to reopen.

The Louisiana state fire marshal’s office, which must approve facilities for opening, has posted information online about what’s needed to seek permission for haunted house operators to launch this fall.

Haunted houses allowed to open will be required to have no more than 25 guests inside at any time, not counting staff. Groups have to be limited to six people, and everyone will have to comply with the statewide mask mandate. The sites will have to sell advanced tickets or use reservations, rather than general admission. They’ll also face limits on occupied space.