While pandemic restrictions have New Orleans businesses on the verge of closing their doors for good, and Mardi Gras parades canceled for 2021; should people still visit New Orleans?
Mayor Latoya Cantrell says yes, but act like a New Orleanian when you are here.
“The city of New Orleans will always be welcoming, always. But we ask is that you do the right thing. Put that mask on, avoid large gatherings, stay in your pod, and be respectful of yourselves and of course the people who live here,” Cantrell said at a press conference on Monday.
Although the Mardi Gras holiday is not canceled, several Carnival Krewes already announced they will not be rolling in 2021.
That left New Orleanians to devise their own creative ways to celebrate Carnival Season, including decorating their homes to resemble a Mardi Gras float.
"I'm seeing more and more of the house floats pop up, and it's so exciting to see even residents move around to look," Cantrell said.
The trend is catching on as a unique way to keep the Carnival Spirit alive, and to keep travelers interested in visiting the city during a time when tourism is floundering as the city remains in strict modified Phase One COVID-19 restriction.
