New Orleans Will Follow Same COVID-19 Rules As Louisiana Moves To Phase 3

Mayor LaToya Cantrell does not plan to make any changes to New Orleans' coronavirus restrictions, despite the state of Louisiana moving into Phase 3 of its reopening plan on Friday.

New Orleans will remain in Phase 2 of its reopening plan, for now, Mayor Cantrell announced during a press conference with New Orleans Public Schools officials Thursday via NOLA.com.

"The city of New Orleans is in Phase 2 and we will remain in place, we will continue to let the data drive us but where the data has driven us today is to ensure our kids are returning to school starting next week," Cantrell said. 

Mayor Cantrell has hinted at remaining in Phase 2 in recent days, NOLA reports. She previously said several times that she intended to wait until officials could gauge how the reopening of schools for in-person learning, the beginning of college classes and the amount of evacuees for Hurricane Laura would play a role on New Orleans' COVID-19 case rates before loosening restrictions.

Mayor Cantrell's decision followed Gov. John Bel Edwards' announcement to move Louisiana into Phase 3 of reopening during a press conference on Thursday, with the change taking effect on Friday. Gov. Edwards said most of the details related to the transition are still being worked out, but the state will keep its mask mandate in place.

The state of Louisiana currently has restricted bars to take-out only service and a limitation on the occupancy of restaurants, gyms and other businesses. New Orleans currently has the same restrictions in place, but also includes stricter limits on indoor events, as well as a ban on to-go drinks from local bars, which aimed to prevent crowds from gathering on Bourbon Street.

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