![New Orleans Lifts COVID Restrictions](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2021/01/New-Orleans-Mayor-LaToya-Cantrell.jpg?w=980&q=75)
New Orleans Lifts COVID Restrictions
One week after Governor John Bel Edwards allowed state-imposed COVID restrictions to expire, the city of New Orleans is cancelling its COVID restrictions.
According to a press release and a tweet issued by Mayor LaToya Cantrell's office, those restrictions were lifted at 6 a.m. Monday morning. This includes the guidelines requiring people to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter bars, restaurants, event spaces, and other businesses open for public accommodation.
“This is a critical and welcome milestone,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in that press release. “I am deeply grateful to our entire community--our residents, our business owners, and our hospitality industry--for coming together to make this day possible. It could not have happened without our people taking the guidelines seriously and helping us not only flatten the curve but emerge from the pandemic as a safe destination city. With the return of Mardi Gras this year, we were able to celebrate safely. And now we are ready for this next step. We will continue to closely monitor the data, and remain guided by science.”
City health officials say Cantrell's claim of a safe Mardi Gras celebration is backed up by science. They say COVID case counts and hospitalizations remain low. They also say wastewater testing has found low viral transmissions.
Still, Cantrell and other New Orleans leaders urge people to take precautions to protect themselves and others from the novel coronavirus.
"Residents should prepare for the likelihood of future surges by continuing to assess risk levels for themselves and loved ones and relying on proven mitigation strategies: testing, masks, and staying up to date with COVID vaccinations," the press release states.
Mask mandates will remain in effect in places where federal law requires them. This includes on public transportation and in medical facilities.
Reaction online to the announcement has been mixed with positivity and cynicism.
The History Behind Lafayette's Street Names
Seven Forgotten Facts About Lafayette
Lafayette: 1981 vs. 2021
More From Hot 107.9
![Shocking Footage Shows Louisiana Cleaners Dodging Bullets Then Completing Their Work](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2024/07/attachment-National-Tequila-Day-copy-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Architecture Students Build Home for Man Unhomed for 20 Years](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-162.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Coffee Shop Under Fire For Allowing Customer To View NSFW Content Uninterrupted](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16-copy1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![30-Acre Go-Kart Track in Louisiana Largest in the U.S.](http://townsquare.media/site/29/files/2023/01/attachment-thumbnail_IMG_6672.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Nicki Minaj Fans in Louisiana Shocked After New Orleans Concert Postponed at Last Minute](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2024/03/attachment-GettyImages-1860484270.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Atlanta Woman Has Internet Obsessed with 52-part ‘Who TF Did I Marry?!?’ Series on TikTok](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2024/02/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-02-20T182303.524.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana University Implements Mask Mandate as COVID-19 Cases Surge](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2023/08/attachment-Untitled-design-27.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Louisiana Law Requires Students Must Take Financial Literacy Classes To Graduate](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2023/08/attachment-kelly-sikkema-M98NRBuzbpc-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Van Climbs Rail of Mississippi River Bridge, Closes I-10](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/06/attachment-Van-on-Bridge.jpg?w=980&q=75)