Mardi Gras 2021 is not cancelled but will look and feel very different from pre-COVID Mardi Gras.
Carnival krewes now have 30 days to submit to the city, their COVID-safe parade plans to Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council for review.
The mayor and advisory council suggested some COVID-safe measures such as social distancing parade-goers, banning barbeques and tents along the parade route and requiring parade-goers to wear masks at all times.
However, the publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide, Arthur Hardy, says enforcing these restrictions on the parade route is nearly impossible.
“The intensions are pure, there is no question of that, but the devil is in the logistics. How do you do this even if you want to,” said Hardy.
The advisory council also suggested restrictions for float riders. They’ve suggested float riders have their temperature checked and screened for symptoms prior to riding.
They also suggest riders be tested for COVID and must have a negative test result for 72 hours prior to riding. They must also be spaced 6 feet apart on floats.
“Which in itself, if you have to be six feet apart you probably have to eliminate two-thirds of your riders or acquire twice as many…or three times as many floats. So that may be a non-started right there,” Hardy said. “But in fairness, the mayor is asking everyone to obey the guidelines that are in place by the state.”
Hardy say he is not so sure parades will roll in Orleans parish under such restrictions.
“I think parades are doubtful, honestly, I hate to hear myself say that, but, I think it is doubtful,” Hardy said. “But that doesn’t mean that Mardi Gras is cancelled. People will figure out a way to celebrate as they always have and if parades don’t roll in Orleans Parish that is not to say they won’t roll elsewhere.”
