NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser agrees that precautions should be taken to stop the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, but thinks the city of New Orleans went too far by canceling this weekend's St. Patrick's Day Parades.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced that all parades in New Orleans, including the St. Patrick's Day parades, Super Sunday and second lines, will be canceled this weekend to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
"I was disappointed," Nungesser said Wednesday. "She’s the mayor and she’s got a right to do that. I don’t agree with it."
The Lt. Governor noted that this is a particularly busy time of year for the tourism industry in Louisiana and that people could lose their jobs if too many events are canceled.
"Until such time the governor or the president says it’s unsafe to have these events, we need to encourage people to come to Louisiana," Nungesser said. "If you’re elderly or have immune deficiency you probably shouldn't come to these events, but other than that we need to continue to promote Louisiana."
Nungesser went on to say that he still plans on marching in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Metairie Sunday and that his wife will be riding in the parade.
The city of New Orleans is following in the footsteps of several other cities around the country that have curtailed events.
New Orleans has several large events coming over the next few months, including the French Quarter Festival, the Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Crescent City Classic and the Essence Festival along with other festivals and concerts.
Colin Arnold, the city's Director of Homeland Security said that the city has a planned call with the major events later this week and that both sides will have a say in what happens, though the city could make a call based on public safety.
"We’d like to hear from them if acts start pulling out, if sponsors start pulling out and that will change the dynamics of some of these festivals, regardless of where we’re at," he said.
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