Bourbon Street & The City Still Open During Celebration
Posted Nov. 17, 2020
With the thought that it was a potential super spreader last year before anyone had ever heard of the term, the city of New Orleans has canceled all the Mardi Gras parades for 2021.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell has banned krewes, which organize he parades, from holding the annual events, which take place for two weeks known as Carnival and building up to Fat Tuesday, which in 2021 is Feb. 16.
“Parades of any kind will not be permitted this year because large gatherings have proven to be super spreader events of the COVID-19 virus,” City Hall posted in an obscure section of its website, the Q&A page. Later, a press conference was held that confirmed the news.
The development came as a huge surprise to the krewes.
“It’s a total shock at this moment,” said Endymion president Dan Kelly, told NOLA.com. According to the paper, Kelly had attended the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Committee meeting less than two weeks ago and recalled “she didn’t say anything about there not being any parades.”
Carnival, of course, will go on regardless of the parade situation, as explained this way in the Q&A: “The City of New Orleans cannot cancel Mardi Gras because it is a religious Holiday, however we will not be able to celebrate the Holiday this year as we have in the past.”
Bourbon Street Open For Mardi Gras
Bourbon Street will, however, still be open. Here is the city’s statement:
“Bourbon Street and Frenchman Street entertainment Districts are open, but subject to Local and State COVID Guidelines at all times. Capacity and hours can be subject to change. It is highly recommended that time in the city’s entertainment districts be limited and social distancing observed with mask wearing.”
New Orleans Open To Tourists For Mardi Gras
The city is also open and will welcome tourists during the two weeks of its long Mardi Gras celebration. Here is the city’s statement:
“This City of New Orleans is always open for business. However, all visitors must adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines which include wearing a mask in public and maintaining strict 6ft or more social distancing.”
Leave a Reply