A reconfirmation today from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell that Mardi Gras 2022 will take place as scheduled with route changes made for some crews, though all crews will roll on their scheduled days. Cantrell offered this example: “All parades that traditionally start on the riverside of Napoleon Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Magazine Street, Tchopotoulas, and Henry Clay Street will now begin at Napoleon Avenue and Prytania. Parades that traditionally start on Napoleon Avenue at South Saratoga will begin on Napoleon Avenue and Carondolet. Parades that begin at Holiday Drive and Fiesta Street will now start at Wall Boulevard and Holiday Drive.”
She says public safety will be of utmost concern and that she believes Mardi Gras can be carried off safely despite the flare-up in COVID cases nationwide given that 80 percent of local residents have been vaccinated and by urging others to be tested, vaccinated and to wear masks to protect themselves and other parade-goers.
Police Superintendent Shawn Ferguson said safety was top of mind in resorting to two main parade routes during the Mardi Gras season given the all-hands on deck need for police manpower. He says the goal is to have the “ability to provide and safe and secure environment along the entire parade route.”
Mayor Cantrell downplayed the need to cancel Mardi Gras 2022 even though COVID appears to be tightening its grip once again on Louisiana and the rest of the nation thanks to the Omicron variant. She says the city has a high-rate of vaccination. “The city of New Orleans continues to be leading in the effort, not just at the state level but even nationally, with over 80 percent of our people vaccinated,” said Cantrell.
She says no crews have opted to cancel their parades because of COVID.
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