Mayor Latoya Cantrell said New Orleans will move to Phase 2 of reopening on June 13.
As of early Saturday morning, capacity for businesses and sites that opened in Phase 1 will move from 25 percent to 50 percent, the mayor said during a press conference today. Bars will now be allowed to open at 25 percent capacity. Malls will also open for the first time since the city shut down due to the coronavirus.
Cantrell stressed that the city’s high testing rate and low number of positive tests set the stage to allow more businesses and groups to open with greater capacity. Dr. Jennifer Avegno, director of the city’s health department, said only Rhode Island and Iceland have tested more of their population on a per capita basis.
More than 13 percent of the city’s population has been tested so far — an average of 700 tests a day — and less than 3 percent have been positive. Deaths in the city stand at 513, and 7,247 people have so far tested positive for COVID-19.
Officials stressed that people are still being asked to wear masks in public, noting that research suggests wearing masks reduces the spread of the virus.
The city’s version of Phase 2 of reopening varies slightly from the state’s version and comes after Louisiana moved to Phase 2 on June 5.
The mayor also addressed recent anti-racism protests that drew hundreds and potentially thousands to the streets in recent weeks, sparking debates over the health risks of mass protests amid calls to end police violence.
Cantrell said racism is a public health issue.
“People are protesting because racism, poverty, discrimination, oppression — that is a direct threat to everyone’s public health,” she said.
She also said she supports the protests but asks that they remain peaceful so protesters and police remain safe.
Avegno noted that public health officials have been distinguishing between “essential” and “nonessential” practices since the beginning of the pandemic, and she said protesters exercising their constitutional right to freedom of speech “would fall under the essential category.”
“Systemic racism kills people in large numbers in our city as well as across the country,” she said.
Here are the key details of Phase 2:
Operations opening at 50 percent capacity with distancing:
- Restaurants and bars with food
- Gyms/fitness centers
- Barbers and hair salons
- Salons, spas, tattoo parlors
- Retail and malls
- Aquariums, zoos and museums
- Community centers
- Conference/meeting rooms
Opening at 25 percent capacity with distancing:
- Bars without food permits
- Outdoor pools
Operations that remain closed:
- Indoor live entertainment
- Festivals and fairs
- Amusement parks and arcades
- Music and concert halls
New Orleans Phase 2 guidelines that differ from the state:
- Houses of worship and movie theaters will open at 50 percent capacity or 250 people (whichever is fewer)
- Gaming establishments (casinos, video poker) can open at 25 percent capacity
- Gatherings and event venues will be limited to 100 people with one crowd control officer per 50 people. (This is for indoor and outdoor event venues.)
- Special event permits will be required for some locations and events
The city is expected to release full details on the Phase 2 plan, including what sports are permitted, by Friday.
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