New Orleans will have a Carnival season, most noted for Mardi Gras, impacted by COVID concerns for the third year in a row. There are growing health concerns stemming from a rise in COVID cases and the omicron variant. In response, New Orleans is reinstating its indoor mask mandate.
New Orleans Mask Mandate
The mandate begins at 6 a.m. Wednesday and applies to all indoor spaces, including schools. During a news conference on Tuesday, Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the New Orleans Health Department director, said it will remain in place “until further notice.”
“We strongly recommend a high-quality mask, and by that, I mean a surgical mask, KN95 or N95, to provide the most robust protection,” she continued.
With Carnival season gearing up, Avegno said New Orleans is “at risk in a way that no other big city is.” New Orleans currently has a positivity rate of just under 32% and is awaiting the shipment of additional tests for residents. “This is a simple step, putting masks back on to tackle our biggest problem,” Avegno said.
The mandates will require more than masks; the city requires proof of vaccination or negative test result for anyone over five years old. Effective February 1, two vaccine doses are needed to enter public venues.
What Will Mardi Gras Look Like This Year?
In 2021, New Orleans elected to dampen the spirit of the yearly celebration by removing all parades. The usual packed Bourbon Street was a veritable ghost town, and Mardi Gras was in danger of disappearing entirely.
However, New Orleans is also known for its perseverance, and the people rallied. Residents decorated over 3,000 homes for the celebration to take the place of the missing parade floats. Regardless of whether or not the city has a traditional Mardi Gras or not, expect residents to turn out and make it into a memorable experience.
