Young Men Olympians Jr. second line parade, 2015, photo courtesy of Flickr

Second line parades and 24-hour liquor sales allowed under eased pandemic guidelines in New Orleans

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On May 26 the City of New Orleans issued updated pandemic rules to the restrictions and guidelines in place to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, as vaccine rates continue to increase and case incidences and hospitalizations remain low. Eased guidelines took effect at 6 a.m. on Friday, May 28.

While size limits for most events will remain at 250 indoors and 500 outdoors, a pathway for larger events will now be available.

The COVID-related ban on second lines and parades has been removed and will be replaced by the traditional event permitting process within the Department of Safety and Permits. Event organizers are reminded that Moving Street Closure permits are required. Second line permit applications must be submitted at least 15 days in advance and parade permit applications must be submitted at least 90 days in advance. The City may still evaluate applications for public health restriction needs.

Other changes to pandemic rules include:

  • Gyms may go to 100 percent capacity
  • There will no longer be time limits for alcohol sales
  • Minor changes for restaurants and bars removing the six-foot table spacing and eliminating the table number restrictions

Large indoor events will now be allowed to occur with one of the following options:

  • 50 percent capacity without masks and distancing, or
  • 100 percent capacity with masks required, or
  • 100 percent capacity without masks if individuals provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours

Large outdoor events will now be allowed to occur with one of the following options:

  • 75 percent capacity without masks and distancing, or
  • 100 percent capacity with masks required, or
  • 100 percent capacity without masks if individuals provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours

Updated guidelines are available at ready.nola.gov/reopening.

Unvaccinated residents are encouraged to get the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccines are safe, effective, and readily available in neighborhoods across New Orleans. More vaccine information is available at ready.nola.gov/vaccine.

There have been 30,488 cases and 793 deaths as of Tuesday, May  in Orleans Parish, which is averaging 20 new cases a day with a 1.7% positivity rate.