New Orleans Bars Will Likely Be Closed For Halloween

Some unfortunate news for people hoping to celebrate Halloween with some drinks in The Crescent City — bars will likely not offer dine-in service on Halloween. In a presentation to city council members on Monday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said it was likely the city's Phase 3.3 reopening would be pushed back until after the weekend. However, she has not made a final decision on the matter.

"But coupled with Halloween, coupled with how we are in our city and what we've been seeing, it seems it may be best for us to hold off 3.3 until the following week," said Mayor Cantrell.

Though New Orleans' recent positivity rate has mostly stayed below 2%, Cantrell still has concerns that Halloween crowds could cause a spike in cases. By delaying Phase 3.3, Mayor Cantrell hopes to avoid the situation that occurred earlier in October after Phase 3.2 drew large crowds to the French Quarter for take-out drinks, 4WWL reports.

"This week, following the weekend, we'll see where the numbers come in," she said. "We're still very, very hopeful and optimistic that we will proceed without any levels of regression."

Phase 3.3, originally scheduled to take effect on October 31, would have allowed bars to open at 25% capacity.

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