Bars will be closed ahead of Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans.
At a press conference on Friday, New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell announced the closures.
At that press conference it was also announced that people will have to pass through checkpoints to get to Bourbon Street and a heavy police presence will patrol New Orleans in the days leading up to Mardi Gras, according to Nola.com
These restrictions are part of this year's crack down on crowds to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Cantrell said that the restrictions are necessary to prevent celebrations from becoming super-spreader events, they report.
“We’re doing this in response to the health crisis that we are in. There are consequences of not taking action, the costs are simply too high,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “There are three new COVID strains out there which will have an impact on our city. We have to mitigate this virus the best way we can. It requires all of us to do the right thing.”
Beginning next Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 through Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 16, 2021 the following restrictions will be in effect:
- All bars will be closed both indoor and outdoor citywide, including bars operating as restaurants with AR-Conditional permits
- There will be no package liquor sales in the French Quarter
- All sales of to-go drinks will be banned
- Bourbon St., Decatur St. and Frenchmen St. will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles from 7 p.m. - 3 a.m.
- Restaurants and retail stores can remain open and residents and visitors will have access
- There will be no loitering on Bourbon St.
- The Claiborne underpass and corridor will also be fenced off
- Large gatherings are banned and will not be tolerated — including activities that encourage people to congregate, like street vending and performing
Mardi Gras is on February 16.
For a full list of guidelines and restrictions that apply under the Modified Phase 2, please click here
There will be additional restrictions in place in #NOLA to prevent the spread of #COVID19 during the final weekend of Carnival. Details at https://t.co/AJeXJbJuKc. pic.twitter.com/ICtIRrt9xB
— NOLA Ready (@nolaready) February 5, 2021
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