The city of New Orleans today should announce changes to its coronavirus restrictions -- but don't expect the restrictions to be loosened up nearly as much as the rest of the state.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has lifted the mask mandate, and most capacity limits, while still calling for social distancing. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says it's too early to make that call in the city.
"We have to reach heard immunity in the city of new Orleans and we are not there," the mayor said. "Everything that we wish to do in our city and opening back up our economy is about getting vaccinated."
The mayor says vaccination rates must hit 75 percent.
"We need 75 percent-plus, to reach herd immunity. That will continue to be the goal and the focus of this community and this city, because it is imperative that we get there," said Cantrell. "That's where my focus is. We continue to see steps being taken, meaning people are getting vaccinated on a daily basis, but the hesitancy is still there, and it's holding us back from where we need to be."
The city currently has a little more than a third -- 35.75 percent -- of its population fully vaccinated.
