New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the city will open up a little bit more, in its incremental version of Phase 3. The mayor says "Phase 3.2" will begin Saturday.
"We have been able to manage through 3.1 and feel very comfortable with moving into 3.2," she said today.
Bars with outdoor seating will be able to seat 50 customers or 25 percent of their maximum occupancy ,outdoor sporting events being able to hold up to 500 people or 25 percent of venue capacity, and religious gatherings will have a maximum of 500 people or fifty percent of venue capacity. All will be limited to whichever number results in fewer people.
"We are at a point where we'll able to enjoy the relaxation," Cantrell said, "but it will only be short-lived if don't do what's necessary to keep this community safe, keep us moving forward, slow and steady, without regression."
Changes in Phase 3.2, which will go into effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, include the following:
• Indoor live entertainment will be allowed with a Special Event Permit in restaurants, indoor event venues, and concert halls. Singing, karaoke, and wind-blown instruments are prohibited indoors.
• Bars and breweries without LDH food permits will be allowed to have outdoor seating of 25% permitted occupancy or 50 individuals, whichever is fewer. Alcohol sales are limited to the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Breweries with an LDH food permit will be allowed to have indoor seating of 25% of permitted occupancy and outdoor seating of 100% permitted occupancy or 50 individuals, whichever is fewer. Alcohol sales are limited to the hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The City of New Orleans is making this provision in its guidelines because unlike bars, breweries are not eligible to apply for the State’s conditional restaurant permit.
• Houses of worship, movie theaters, and conference venues will be allowed to open for timed, seated events at 50% of permitted occupancy or 500 individuals, whichever is fewer.
• Outdoor stadiums and large arenas will be allowed to have 25% permitted occupancy or 500 individuals, whichever is fewer.
• Concert halls will be allowed to open for timed, seated events at 50% of permitted occupancy or 250 individuals, whichever is fewer, with approval from the State Fire Marshal and the City’s Department of Safety and Permits. Singing, karaoke, and wind-blown instruments are prohibited indoors and alcohol sales are limited to the hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
