05:19 PM CST on Wednesday, December 21, 2005

WWLTV.com

The curfew in New Orleans will be dropped beginning Friday except for areas west of the Industrial Canal, Mayor Ray Nagin announced Wednesday.

In addition, Nagin announced that people who live in four more zip codes would be allowed to stay in their homes.

Nagin said that zip codes 70122, 70124, 70117 (upper) and 70126 were approved for “look and stay.”

Those areas now have power and water service.

“We’re excited to announce our ‘Look and Stay’ expansion,” said Nagin, who added that another 108,000 residents could now return home.

Residents living east of the Industrial Canal are still bound by a midnight to 6 a.m. curfew.