NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell laid out the city's guidelines for reopening business at a press conference Tuesday.
The mayor labeled Phase 1 as "Safest at Home," because she said that people remain safest when they remain at home.
Orleans Parish will be a little more restrictive than the rest of the state, with a warning by Cantrell that things could be shut back down if the numbers start ramping up again.
Cantrell said that restaurants that open will work on a "reservation" system and that people would need to give names and phone numbers to the restaurant to dine inside. She also said that businesses like hair and nail salons, barbers and fitness clubs would be done by appointment.
Cantrell also said that churches could open at 25% capacity or for 100 people, whichever is smaller, a move that appears more restrictive than state guidelines and which drew an immediate reaction of disbelief by Fred Luter, the pastor of the massive Franklin Avenue Baptist Church.
"I am floored by this announcement," he said. "We were prepared to do multiple services with 25% capacity of our sanctuary, however, to limit attendance to 100 people will be impossible. How do you choose which 100 members can attend?"
The City will also require people to wear face coverings when going out in public, but she added that no one would be arrested for not wearing one. She said she was appealing to people's sense of personal responsibility.
She did say that the face-covering request would not count for people wanting to go for a jog on a levee or taking a walk in a park by themselves.
Cantrell added that summer camps run by NORD would be signing people up with the idea of opening in mid-June, but with smaller group limits and no contact sports. She said libraries could also open, but only at 25% capacity.
From the city of New Orleans' web site
*Note: A restaurant or business being allowed to reopen does not mean that business will elect to reopen. It's best to call or check the web site of a certain business...
Bolded items are specific requirements for businesses operating in Orleans Parish:
SHOPPING MALLS AND RETAIL STORES
- Stores with exterior entrances limited to 25% 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% 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% 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% 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 EXTRA CURRICULAR PROGRAMS
- Limited to 10 people per group, including adults.
- Contact sports are not permitted.
MOVIE THEATERS
- Limited to 25% 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% 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% 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% of permitted occupancy.
- Conference rooms limited to 10 people with six feet between each individual.
- Virtual meetings are highly encouraged.
LIBRARIES
- Limited to 25% of permitted occupancy.
- Story time 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 poke
Spas, tattoo and massage parlors
Live entertainment, amusement and event venues
Children's Museums
Bars without food permits
Private gatherings with more than a reasonable household size
Gov. John Bel Edwards is loosening restrictions on churches, restaurants, salons and gyms, beginning this weekend. The Democratic governor announced Monday that he's moving the state away from a “stay-at-home” position he enacted in late March.
The new regulations take effect Friday and are largely in line with the first phase of reopening as envisioned under the White House guidelines provided to states. Businesses newly allowed to open will be limited to one-quarter of their previous capacity, and employees working around customers will have to wear masks.
Restaurants will be able to reopen inside seating and table service, but at the 25% capacity level. Tattoo parlors, spas, amusement parks and children's museums will remain closed.
Previously, Cantrell has been slower to lower restrictions. When Edwards allowed restaurants to start accommodating diners outdoors but without table service and with spacing, Cantrell did not follow suit, to the dismay of local restaurateurs.
State guidelines say that parishes and local governments are allowed to impose stricter guidelines than what is being implemented across Louisiana, but cannot undermine the state's plan to reopen in several-week increments.
Cantrell said during her radio town hall that if phase one reopening leads to a spike in cases in New Orleans, she would clamp down and issue another stay at home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.