News

May 12, 2020 | From City of New Orleans

MAYOR CANTRELL OUTLINES SAFE, PHASED REOPENING OF NEW ORLEANS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

NEW ORLEANS — Today, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the guidelines for the first phase of a safe reopening of New Orleans as the City nears the end of the “Stay Home” mandate. This will be the first of four phases the City hopes to implement while continuing to “flatten the curve” of the outbreak.

 

Phase One will begin on Saturday, May 16, at 6 a.m.

 

"We have been very intentional and have shaped these guidelines based on the data, as you've heard me say repeatedly, and based on science. We have gotten to this milestone because of the sacrifices our people have made. You took this seriously, you paid attention, and it mattered," said Mayor Cantrell. "We are seeing a reason for hope in the critical milestones that we are looking at."

 

"Because of the 'Stay Home' mandate and the real sacrifices that all of our residents have made, we have been able to meet the milestones necessary to move into Phase One of our safe but phased reopening plan," said Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno. "But, we are very closely monitoring and will continue to monitor the situation and must be prepared to reinstate restrictions if needed, if the trends go in an unfavorable direction. Remember how quickly our cases came, and how close we came to being overwhelmed."

 

Mayor Cantrell reminded residents of the progress made in reaching several key milestones:

  • Steady decline in cases
  • Testing capacity
  • Healthcare capacity
  • Readiness for contact tracing and plans in place to isolate and contain potential outbreaks

 

[WATCH: Mayor Cantrell press conference]

 

Mayor Cantrell stressed the important of being just as vigilant through each of the phases as we have been throughout the Stay Home mandate, and that residents should still continue to stay home except for essential needs and other permitted activities on a limited basis:

  • Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
  • Everyone must wear a face covering in public.
  • Continue to practice social distancing.
  • Gatherings are still limited to small family groups, no larger than 10 people.

 

[LEARN MORE: All information and guidance can be found at ready.nola.gov/reopening]

 

All non-essential businesses and organizations will continue to stay closed during Phase One, except under the following conditions, as outlined by the Governor’s Office and the Mayor's Office. These exceptions are only allowed while paired with strict requirements for social distancing, face coverings and other PPE, and hygiene and cleaning protocols.

 

If you have a business or an organization in Orleans Parish, you are required to register with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office at OpenSafely.la.gov.

 

Operations Allowed in Phase One

Bolded items are specific requirements for businesses operating in Orleans Parish:

 

SHOPPING MALLS AND RETAIL STORES

  • Stores with exterior entrances limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy. Stores within malls with no exterior entrances remain closed.
  • Curb-side pickup and online shopping are highly encouraged.

FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS

  • Restaurants with table service should utilize a reservation or appointment system.
  • Only bars with a Louisiana Department of Health food permit are allowed to serve food with same restrictions as restaurant.
  • Outdoor seating is allowed.
  • Indoor seating is limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy.
  • Tables must be arranged to keep parties at least six feet away from others.
  • Take-out and delivery are highly encouraged.
  • No restaurant or food service establishment should serve any alcoholic beverage to a patron who is not also purchasing food.
  • Video poker is not allowed.

BEAUTY SALONS, BARBER SHOPS, AND NAIL SALONS

  • Service by reservation or appointment only.
  • Limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy.
  • Chairs must be arranged to keep people at least six feet away from others.
  • Gloves must be worn and changed between customers.

HOUSES OF WORSHIP

  • Services are limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
  • No choirs permitted.
  • Six feet of distance between people and small groups must be maintained and crowd managers must be provided.
  • Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
  • Interior gathering spaces (ie fellowship halls, classrooms) cannot be used.
  • Community assistance services are permitted.
  • Online or drive-up services are highly encouraged.

CHILDCARE, EARLY LEARNING CENTERS, K-12 SCHOOL AND EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS

  • Limited to 10 people per group, including adults.
  • Contact sports are not permitted.

MOVIE THEATERS

  • Limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
  • Six feet of distance between people and small groups must be maintained and crowd managers must be provided.
  • Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
  • Interior gathering spaces cannot be used.

MUSEUMS, ZOOS, AQUARIUMS

  • Limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy.
  • Admission must be staggered using an appointment or reservation system.
  • Six feet of distance between people and small groups must be maintained and crowd managers must be provided.
  • Seniors and people with serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
  • Interior gathering spaces cannot be used.

GYMS AND FITNESS CENTERS

  • Limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy.
  • Contact sports and group fitness classes are not allowed.
  • Individual personal training allowed without physical touching and with strict social distancing.
  • Equipment and exercise areas must be arranged to keep people at least six feet away from others.
  • No use of locker rooms, showers, saunas, or spas allowed.

OFFICE BUILDINGS AND BUSINESSES

  • People who can work from home should continue to do so.
  • Limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy.
  • Conference rooms limited to 10 people with six feet between each individual.
  • Virtual meetings are highly encouraged.

LIBRARIES

  • Limited to 25 percent of permitted occupancy.
  • Storytime or other group events are not permitted.

OUTDOOR RECREATION SPACES, SPORTS COMPLEXES, PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

  • Parks and playgrounds can reopen, but residents must avoid close contact with others.
  • Permitted sports include running, biking, lap swimming, tennis, golf, archery, curling, softball, and baseball. No spectating from bleachers nor dugout use will be allowed.
  • Contact sports are not permitted.

RACETRACKS

  • No spectators allowed.
  • Casinos and video poker not allowed.

Not Allowed in Phase One

  • Casinos and video poker (not allowed in Orleans Parish)
  • Spas, tattoo and massage establishments
  • Live entertainment, amusement, and event venues
  • Children’s museums
  • Bars without food permits
  • Private gatherings with more than a reasonable household size

As the City indicated at the beginning of this process, some guidelines in Orleans are stricter than the state-level guidance, which is evident in many of the above-mentioned examples. Any contrasts with the State were done with public health and safety as our guiding principles. They were made in accordance with the Governor’s acknowledgment that parishes must develop their own guidelines. They further underscore the cooperative spirit between the City and State as we work together to safely reopen collectively and individually.

 

The NOPD and the City’s department of Safety & Permits will be enforcing these new guidelines, and residents should continue to report non-compliance by calling 311.

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