New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration announced today that the city will return to Phase 2 of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
"That's going to be very similar to the state's Phase 2," said Beau Tidwell, director of communications for Mayor Cantrell. "These restrictions will be in place for three weeks, through Mardi Gras."
Tidwell said restaurants and other most other businesses will be able to expand to 50 percent of their maximum occupancy. Special events like wedding reception or other parties will be limited to ten people indoors, 25 people outdoors.
New Orleans Health Department director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says events like that differ from normal restaurant activity in that people are moving about and mingling with each other, as opposed to remaining seated a table with a small group.
The changes go into effect at 6 a.m. Friday morning.
❓What's the difference between a gathering and a seated event?
— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) January 27, 2021
🔍At a social gathering, people are mingling in close contact and at times may be unmasked. At a timed and seated event, people are not in close contact and are masked. pic.twitter.com/1zt01aUifa
