The Louisiana Supreme Court has declined to take up an expedited hearing on the lawsuit filed against New Orleans over the city's vaccine and indoor mask mandates, meaning the current rules will remain in effect at least through the end of Mardi Gras.
The lawsuit filed January 31 claims the city’s vaccine mandate and mask requirement violates the plaintiffs' civil liberties by unlawfully preventing them from taking part in activities such as sporting events and entering restaurants or bars.
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The lawsuit claims the mandate possibly violates state law and says in part: “The mayor’s emergency orders violate the separation of powers under the State constitution and the City Charter by purporting to enact law without legislative authorization.”
City officials have not commented directly on the case, but New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno, a named defendant in the suit, says the city's COVID countermeasures are saving lives, as evidenced by the lower COVID death rate in New Orleans.
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The first hearing on the case is set for March 3 in Orleans Civil District Court -- two days after Fat Tuesday.
The city of New Orleans vaccine mandate requires bars, restaurants, concert venues, sporting venues, and other high-volume establishments to check patrons for proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test. The rules also apply to anyone participating in a parade, whether they are krewe members, marching band members, participants in a marching society, or other parade unit.