New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says starting next Friday and running through Mardi Gras Day on February 16th, all bars indoor and outdoor will be closed and no loitering will be allowed on Bourbon Street. Cantrell says she’s trying to prevent mass gatherings that can turn into a COVID super spreader event.
“This is dangerous, it risks lives and it risks the progress our city has made in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Cantrell.
Cantrell says she rather be accused of doing too much than too little.
“It requires all of us to do the right thing, we’ve been here before, we can get through it, we will, but again this has to matter to all of us because this pandemic threatens all of us,” said Cantrell.
Cantrell says COVID testing will increase following the Mardi Gras season, starting on Ash Wednesday. The mayor says bar employees who will be out of work for five days should file for their claims with the Louisiana Workforce Commission now.
Deputy CAO Peter Bowen had a strong message for bars who do not comply, he says the time for warnings is over and if you are caught of compliance you’ll be shut down.
“Your selfishness continues to threaten the delicate ecosystem that is our hospitality industry, you are directly responsible for the deaths of New Orleanians,” said Bowen.
An additional 30 State Police Troopers have been deployed to New Orleans to help enforce COVID mitigation efforts.
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