At a virtual meeting with Carnival krewe leaders and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council, Cantrell said they will have to get creative with their COVID-19 solutions but stressed that Mardi Gras would not be cancelled.
"In no way will it be canceled," the mayor said.
"It will be different."
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She asked Mardi Gras krewes to create pandemic-safe versions of their parades. They have 30 days to submit their ideas to the city’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council for review.
Cantrell gave some brainstorming suggestions on what those differences could look like if Mardi Gras is to roll during the pandemic.
A few of her suggestions were, possibly televising more parades so that people can safely watch from home. Another of her suggestions were to have stationary floats where small groups of revelers can visit in timed intervals.
However, Cantrell emphasized to the krewe leaders that the solutions "are not going to come from me; they're going to come from you."
“We want to observe religious, culture and social traditions in a new way. You will have a say in what it looks like,” said Cantrell.
The Mardi Gras Advisory Council also presented a few suggestions on how to make Mardi Gras, COVID-19 safe, including; requiring parade-goers to wear masks at all times and to be tested for COVID-19 while minimizing socializing with other surrounding parade-goers. Krewe riders will have to have a negative COVID test within 72 hours of riding, have their temperature checked and screened for symptoms and be spaced 6 feet apart on floats.