NEW ORLEANS — There isn't much doubt that Mardi Gras 2020 was a super-spreader event that led to Louisiana, and most specifically the New Orleans area, being one of the first COVID hotspots in the nation.
In an attempt to avoid a similar fate, New Orleans' Mardi Gras in 2021 will not at all resemble last year's crowded and vibrant festival.
The city had announced several months ago that it wasn't allowing traditional parades but the hammer was laid down about other traditional events and gatherings for next weekend, normally the busiest of the entire season.
The city would normally be full of tourists watching parades, eating and drinking in the city's restaurants and doing people-watching and parading around themselves on crowded streets in the French Quarter, the Marigny and Treme - among other spots.
Here is a list of the restrictions the city is putting in place and the measures it's taking to make sure COVID and its new variants don't take hold here like last year.
Not Allowed
- Parades
- To Go Drinks (from any place - bar or restaurant)
- Bar service (all bars closed from Feb. 12 through Feb. 16)
- Packaged liquor sales in French Quarter and CBD
- Street vendors
- Street performers
- Loitering in busy streets: Specifically, but not limited to: Bourbon, Frenchmen, Decatur
- Gathering under Claiborne underpass (area will be fenced off)
- Bourbon St. between St. Ann St. and Dumaine St.
- Vehicles in the French Quarter with exception of employees, hotel guests, restaurant diners, shoppers and taxis
Parking
Parking is not allowed in these areas between noon and 3 a.m
- Iberville St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- Bienville St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- Conti St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- St. Louis St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- Toulouse St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- St. Peter St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- Orleans St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- St. Ann St. between Dauphine St. and Royal St.
- Bourbon St. between St. Ann St. and Dumaine St.
- Canal St. between Convention Center Blvd. and Burgundy St.
- Frenchmen St. between Decatur St. and Royal St.
- Decatur St. between Dumaine St. and St. Louis St.